Harmon Road fire deemed 100 percent contained as of Wednesday morning

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The wildland fire that began on Wednesday, July 18, on Harmon Road has now reached 100 percent containment, according to local emergency management officials. 
“The initial size of the fire was estimated to be 5,005 acres but has now been changed to 2,887 acres after ground level measurements were able to be taken,” stated Deputy Fire Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator Gary Young in a press release issued on Wednesday. 
Numerous city, county, and state agencies along with emergency managers participated around the clock since Wednesday, July 18 to get the fire contained. 
On Monday, Coryell County Judge John Firth issued a proclamation that declared a local state of disaster in Coryell County.
While the incident is listed as 100 percent contained, Young said that the fire crews would be winding down their response late on Wednesday. Then, over the next week, local fire crews will be visiting the site to monitor for any stubborn smoldering fires that may reoccur, he added. 
As the fire in Coryell County grew, Fort Hood was dealing with fires of its own. On Tuesday, the Fort Hood Press Office announced that military officials suspended liver fire training operations to aid in firefighting operations until further notice. 
Fort Hood’s Directorate of Emergency Services also closed two roads through the post’s training area due to heavy smoke from fires, West Range Road and Triple A Road.
The Fort Hood Fire Department continued to battle four fires in the training range, where approximately 6,500 acres have been affected. 
Officials stated that the fire posed no immediate risk of leaving the installation boundary, nor did it pose an immediate threat to life or property.
Copperas Cove residents noticed the effects of the fires on Fort Hood, with winds pushing a thick haze over much of the city and surrounding areas, along with ashes falling in neighborhoods throughout the Copperas Cove area. 
“While this may be concerning there is no need to be alarmed,” Deputy Fire Chief Young announced via a press release. “Citizens are encouraged to have situational awareness of the event and to stay tuned to appropriate sources for information and updates.”