Firefighters from the Brownwood, Early, Bangs, Zephyr, Brookesmith, Winchell and Lake Bridge fire departments were among those battling a series of grassfires on U.S. Highway 377 South Monday.

The original call came in around 11:30 a.m. with fires stretching from across the road from 3M to near the Cadenhead Veterinary Clinic. The largest fires were directly across from 3M and threatened the Premier Portable Buildings establishment.

Officials have shut down 377 from FM 45 to Crockett Drive, and there was a request for dozers from the Texas A&M Forest Service, according to scanner radio traffic.

As of 1:30 p.m., firefighters were still at work, a helicopter had been called in to dump water on the blaze, and homes and some businesses in the area had been evacuated.

As of 2:35 p.m., residents who live in the subdivision across from the Gate One Motel and Second Hand Steakhouse can return home.

BrownwoodNews.com will provide more information as it becomes available.