A grass fire burned roughly 20 acres Friday morning, Aug. 14, at the northeast corner of I-35W and FM 407 in Argyle, a corridor heavily traveled by Flower Mound and Highland Village commuters.
Denton County Emergency Services Districts No. 1 and No. 2 arrived at the scene around 8:05 a.m. and had the blaze contained by 8:38 a.m., the Cross Timbers Gazette reported. The Justin Fire Department assisted at the scene.
Officials have not determined the cause.
The fire comes two days after Denton County banned all outdoor burning countywide, issuing a Red Flag Warning on Wednesday, Aug. 12, that remains in effect with no set end date. The county cited a lack of rain and critically dry conditions. Denton County recorded just 0.12 inch of rain in July, a 93% drop below the 30-year average, and the year-to-date rainfall deficit has exceeded 7 inches below normal.
Denton County ESD No. 1 posted to social media after the fire, warning residents that no outdoor burning is permitted under the current elevated fire risk. The department urged residents not to burn brush, trash, leaves or other combustible materials.
The burned acreage sits on land slated for the 141-acre Heath planned development, a commercial project which was recommended for approval for rezoning by Argyle's Planning and Zoning Commission in March. The development is expected to include a membership-based retail warehouse comparable to Sam's Club or Costco, at least one hotel and other retail businesses, with a target buildout by 2035.
The project has since stalled. The developer cited ongoing development agreement negotiations as the reason for the delay, according to the Gazette's reporting. No developer was named publicly.
Friday's fire is the latest in a string of blazes across southern Denton County. Flower Mound Fire Department responded to a house fire and a commercial blaze on Wednesday, Aug. 12, and Thursday, Aug. 13.
Residents can sign up for Denton County emergency alerts at dentoncounty.gov/AlertCenter. Anyone who spots an uncontrolled fire should call 911 immediately.
