Brad, Texas (CNN) -- Firefighters have made some progress in battling a spreading wildfire in northern Texas, but dry conditions contributed to a rash of new fires as well, officials said Thursday. 

The 101 Ranch Fire in Palo Pinto County had scorched 6,200 acres as of Thursday, according to the Texas Forest Service. The blaze is burning on Possum Kingdom Lake, near the town of Brad, about 100 miles west of Dallas. 

However, "we feel much better about this fire today" as the blaze is now 50% contained, said John Nichols, spokesman for the forest service. Some evacuations were lifted, he said. 

The flames have destroyed 40 homes and nine RVs, the Forest Service said Thursday. Firefighters were receiving support from aerial tankers and helicopters. 

Authorities are working on a re-entry strategy for residents, said Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer, and they are trying to get the lake open for the Labor Day holiday. 

On Wednesday, evacuations were ordered in several communities on the north side of the lake after the fire charged over a ridge and approached a dam on the lake, CNN affiliate WFAA reported. The Forest Service pulled out of its command observation post, telling journalists and onlookers to get out of the way of the flames. 

Tom Hardeston was among the residents watching helplessly. "My house is right through here, though it may be gone," he told WFAA. 

Nearby ranchers battled to save their herds from the encroaching fire. 

"I'm just moving them from pasture to pasture," Cindi McCoy told WFAA, referring to her livestock. "As one pasture burns, I'm moving them back to that one and bring(ing) them back around." 
Who are doing the good work?
What are they doing?
Where?
When did that happen?
Is there a specific location?
What is that?
Did thay manage to damp it down?
How much?
Who said that?
Did it cause any havoc?
Do they have any afterplan?
In what capacity?
So, are they moving people away?
Who said that?
Do they have any advice for people who are just watching it?
What was that?
Firefighters have made some progress in battling a spreading wildfire in northern Texas
Firefighters have made some progress in battling a spreading wildfire in northern Texas
battling a spreading wildfire in northern Texas, but dry conditions contributed to a rash of new fires
battling a spreading wildfire in northern Texas, but dry conditions contributed to a rash of new fires
The blaze is burning on Possum Kingdom Lake, near the town of Brad, about 100 miles west of Dallas.
The blaze is burning on Possum Kingdom Lake, near the town of Brad, about 100 miles west of Dallas. 

as of Thursday,
 as of Thursday,
The blaze is burning on Possum Kingdom Lake
The blaze is burning on Possum Kingdom Lake
The blaze is burning on Possum Kingdom Lake
The blaze is burning on Possum Kingdom Lake
However, "we feel much better about this fire today" as the blaze is now 50% contained, said John Nichols,
However, "we feel much better about this fire today" as the blaze is now 50% contained, said John Nichols,
as the blaze is now 50% contained,
 as the blaze is now 50% contained,
said John Nichols, spokesman for the forest service
said John Nichols, spokesman for the forest service
The flames have destroyed 40 homes and nine RVs,
The flames have destroyed 40 homes and nine RVs,
Authorities are working on a re-entry strategy for residents, said Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer, and they are trying to get the lake open for the Labor Day holiday.
Authorities are working on a re-entry strategy for residents, said Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer, and they are trying to get the lake open for the Labor Day holiday.
Authorities are working on a re-entry strategy for residents, said Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer, and they are trying to get the lake open for the Labor Day holiday
Authorities are working on a re-entry strategy for residents, said Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer, and they are trying to get the lake open for the Labor Day holiday
On Wednesday, evacuations were ordered in several communities on the north side of the lake after the fire charged over a ridge
On Wednesday, evacuations were ordered in several communities on the north side of the lake after the fire charged over a ridge
CNN affiliate WFAA reported
CNN affiliate WFAA reported
The Forest Service pulled out of its command observation post, telling journalists and onlookers to get out of the way of the flames.
The Forest Service pulled out of its command observation post, telling journalists and onlookers to get out of the way of the flames. 

The Forest Service pulled out of its command observation post, telling journalists and onlookers to get out of the way of the flames.
 The Forest Service pulled out of its command observation post, telling journalists and onlookers to get out of the way of the flames. 
