UPDATE 6:28 P.M.:
The Bell County Sheriff's Office says they received a 911 call just after 2 p.m., when a caller reported seeing smoke in the area of Hackberry Road and Gooseneck Road.
The BCSO says Salado Volunteer Fire Department got on scene and saw a large fire and activated the East Side Strike Crew, which calls in reinforcements from every fire crew on the east side of the county, including paid and volunteer departments.
"Very quickly, the wind has been a struggle and so the fire was still remaining large so they activated what is called the West Side Strike Group, which then activated all the west side assets so Fort Hood, Killeen, all the fire departments are here," Corey Powell, public information officer for the BCSO, said.
The Texas A&M Forest Service was also called in to help, bringing firefighters, heavy bulldozers and air tankers to help protect the homes in the surrounding area.
Crews from Travis County, Williamson County, and Jarrell have also been called in to assist.
The Bell County Sheriff's Office is asking the public to avoid the area to let fire crew fight and contain the fire.
ORIGINAL 5 P.M.:
The Bell County Sheriff's Office tells 25 News that crews are responding to a fire that's burned over 200 acres near Salado in Bell County.
The BCSO says all fire departments in the county are responding.
Hear from the Bell County Sheriff's Office:
Bell County is currently under a burn ban, which was set to expire Tuesday night.
25 News has a crew on scene. This is a developing story and will update you on air and online as we learn more information.
