Fire crews continue to battle a wildfire in the Big Bend National Park Monday morning.
The wildfire ignited near Panther Junction around 5:00 p.m. Tuesday. According to park officials, the fire was likely caused by sparks from a downed power pole during extremely gusty winds.
Due to continued high winds, the fire spread very quickly east and north, beyond the K-Bar backcountry campsites. The fire has since moved east of Panther Junction.
National Park Service crews, along with Terlingua Volunteer Fire Department, have been battling the fire.
David Elkowitz with Big Bend National Park says the fire is now contained, but still burning. Elkowitz estimates approximately 500 acres of land have burned.
Power has been restored to Panther Junction, but power had been cut to Rio Grande Village as a precaution.
Backcountry campsites in the eastern half of the Park will not be accessible until more information is confirmed regarding the fire.
(Information from YourBasin.com)
