Convenience Big Store: Live updates: 2,000-acre wildfire near Houston causes 900 homes to be evacuated

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A helicopter pulls water from Kade Lake to respond to a growing wildfire near Cleveland, Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

Live updates: 900 homes evacuated due to Sam Houston National Forest fire, no structures lost

Overnight homes in the path of the 2,000-acre Pauline Fire in San Jacinto County and Montgomery County were evacuated overnight and shelters were opened for victims needing assistance.

Stay in the Loop

A man wearing an FBI shirt enters the Hattie Mae White, HISD Administration Building on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020.

Photo by: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer

Trial to begin for bribery scheme against HISD leader who triggered FBI raid

Former Houston ISD leader Brian Busby and vendor Anthony Hutchison, face charges of conspiracy, bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, and more.

A health clinic owned by Maria Margarita Rojas is closed in Waller, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Rojas on March 17 was charged with performing an illegal abortion, becoming the first person to be charged with the felony under an abortion ban passed by lawmakers in 2022.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

Texas judge shuts down Houston-area clinics run by midwife accused of illegal abortions

Texas AG Ken Paxton announced the arrest of Maria Margarita Rojas this week, marking the first criminal charges under the state's abortion ban.

Officials work at a staging area at Olde Security Square Flea Market to respond to a growing wildfire near Cleveland, Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

Montgomery County issues disaster declaration over Pauline Road fire

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough signed a local state of disaster as a 2,000-acre wildfire in Sam Houston National Forest prompted over 900 home evacuations and school closures.

Mike Tomon will replace Greg Grissom as the Texans' president heading up business operations.

Photo by: Legends

Texans focused on NRG renovations not a new stadium, rule out relocation

New Texans president Mike Tomon says the team's preference is to renovate NRG Stadium and shot down the possibility of the team leaving the Houston area.

A Blackhawk helicopter flies over the area near a growing wildfire near Cleveland, Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

Smoke pollution from Sam Houston National Forest fire could pose health risks

Smoke from fire can pose serious health risks to anyone close enough to inhale the pollution. As of Thursday morning, much of Houston appeared free from fumes.

Pick of the Day

Searchable map of the retail hemp market in Greater Houston

Photo by: Matt Zdun

Map: The Houston retail hemp market is bigger and more intricate than you think

Hemp is prospering in Houston, and it's not just at smoke shops. Mainstays like H-E-B, CVS and some of your favorite breweries are getting into the booming market, according to license data from the Texas Department of State Health Services that was analyzed by the Chronicle.

MORE: Dan Patrick's promise to ban THC could kill a booming $8B industry.