FORT DAVIS, Texas —
The Fort Davis Fire Department is reporting that the apparent cause of the Nunn Fire was ants building a nest inside the electrical box of a water well.
Ants moving into electrical housings is a common occurrence as the colonies seek warm, dry and undisturbed nesting sites, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
The fire has been burning in Jeff Davis County since Monday evening. At last update from FDFD, the fire had grown to 1,121 acres and was 90% contained.
The department said in a Facebook post Tuesday that high winds caused them to call off heavy air tankers, but a helicopter was called in for more targeted drops.
Davis Mountains Resort Volunteer Fire Department, Cherry Creek Volunteer Fire Department and the Texas A&M Forest Service assisted with the fire.
FDFD said high winds will remain a concern in containing the blaze, but the progress made has been promising.