Central Texas wildfire prompts voluntary evacuations

While the cooler temperatures and calm air help firefighters, the lower humidity level increase the danger that new fires could start or the existing fire could spread.

The Texas A&M Forest Service is updating the fire status via Twitter, now using the hashtags #txfire and #bastropfire. One in Cedar Creek has been contained, according to the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office.

The Hidden Pines Fire in Smithville, Texas is 50 percent contained as of Wednesday morning and has burned 1,512 acres since starting Tuesday, according to officials. One structure, not a home, was reported to have been destroyed by the fire. The Texas A&M Forest Service says it is about 10% contained.

They said the research center had been evacuated voluntarily as a precaution as the fire spread to nearby areas.

“There’s about $500 million worth of real estate combined in that facility”, said Mike Fisher, Bastrop County Emergency Management director. Pets can be taken to the Bastrop County animal shelter if needed. Fire officials said the site had sustained no damage.

Several other fires were reported through the afternoon, though a few were apparently reported by people seeing smoke from other fires.

According to KVUE’s partners at the Austin American-Statesman, a temporary flight restriction has been placed over the fire area.