Large fire that threatened homes was started by resident who violated burn ban in Montgomery Co.

WILLIS, Texas – Firefighters with the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office were battling a large fire near east of Willis on Monday.

Officials said the blaze spread and threatened homes nearby.

According to reports, the fire was started from a resident who violated the burn ban.

Just north of Huntsville, another fire which officials said was larger than this one, led to evacuations. Resources were being pulled from all over the area, officials said. The fire was possibly started due to lightning storms over the weekend.

All of Southeast Texas remains at a high wildfire risk and burn bans are still in place.