Grass Fire Snarls Traffic Along I-35 in Kyle

20-acre blaze forces highway closures and delays

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A 20-acre grass fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon near Interstate 35 and Center Street in Kyle, Texas, causing major traffic backups and highway closures as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

Why it matters

Grass fires are a common occurrence in Texas, especially during dry, windy conditions that elevate wildfire risk. This incident highlights the potential for such fires to disrupt critical transportation infrastructure and snarl traffic, underscoring the need for effective emergency response and preparedness.

The details

According to officials, the fire was reported just after 1:30 p.m. and had grown to an estimated 20 acres, with firefighters containing about 25% of the blaze by 2:40 p.m. Police closed the exit 210 and Center Street to allow firefighters to work, and smoke from the fire was slowing traffic on both sides of the highway.

  • The fire was reported just after 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
  • By 2:40 p.m., officials estimated the fire had grown to 20 acres and was 25% contained.

The players

Kyle Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to and worked to extinguish the grass fire.

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What’s next

Firefighters will continue working to fully contain and extinguish the grass fire, and officials will monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of fire prevention and preparedness, especially in regions prone to dry, windy conditions that can quickly turn small fires into major threats to public safety and critical infrastructure.