Austin Texas News

Alerts and multiple evacuation orders in Hays County left people confused Tuesday as wildfires broke out across the region. Initial push alerts and posts from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office about a wildfire east of Buda didn’t explicitly mention a fire, but referred to an “ongoing incident” and instructed people within a 3-mile radius to evacuate. Screenshot from phone One of the alerts Hays County residents received Tuesday that referred to an “ongoing incident.” Toni…

There were at least eight reported fires in Williamson County on Tuesday. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — Crews have contained a wildfire in southeast Williamson County that began on Tuesday. As of Wednesday evening, the Tree Line fire was 4 acres and 100% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The fire burned southeast of Taylor off CR 480, south of CR 479. The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management said as of 3:45 p.m….

Emergency officials are asking the public to avoid the area. WIMBERLEY, Texas — Emergency officials are responding to an active wildfire near Wimberley. The Hays County Office of Emergency Management reported the fire near Longhorn Trail just before 2 p.m. Wednesday. Details are limited at this time, but officials are asking the public to avoid the area. If evacuation notices are necessary, they’ll be sent out through Warn Central Texas. This is a developing story,…

Officials said visibility was less than a mile when they first arrived at the fire, with dust and winds making firefighting difficult. BLANCO COUNTY, Texas — Crews continue working to contain a wildfire west of Johnson City that started on Tuesday afternoon. The Blanco County Sheriff’s Office reported the large fire near Klett Ranch Road around 4 p.m. before crews were able to stop the fire’s progress. As of Wednesday at 1 p.m., the Texas…

Officials in Blanco County said more than 80 acres are burning as they work to contain the fire. BLANCO COUNTY, Texas — Crews continue working to contain a wildfire west of Johnson City that started Tuesday afternoon. The Blanco County Sheriff’s Office reported the large fire near Klett Ranch Road around 4 p.m. before crews were able to stop the fire’s progress. Authorities said the fire is 82 acres and that they managed to stop…

There have been at least eight reported fires in Williamson County on Tuesday. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — Crews are working to contain a wildfire in southeast Williamson County on Tuesday. As of 4:35 p.m., the Tree Line fire was 4 acres and 98% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The fire was burning southeast of Taylor off CR 480, south of CR 479. The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management said as of…

Multiple fires are burning between FM 150 West in Kyle and Ruby Ranch Rd and FM 967 near Buda. An evacuation notice ended for another fire near Engelke Road in Kyle HAYS COUNTY, Texas — Hays County first responders are working to put out multiple fires Tuesday afternoon as Central Texas deals with extreme fire weather conditions. The Hays County Office of Emergency Services (HCOEM) said members of its department and multiple Hays County fire departments…

An evacuation order is in effect for a small area in Hays County west of Mountain City and Buda as multiple wildfires cropped up Tuesday. The fire is located north of Indian Hills Trail, east of Teal Lane, west of Story Drive and north of Onion Creek, the Hays County Office of Emergency Services said in a 5:20 p.m. Facebook post. The county says, while no structures are in danger, people who were ordered to…

“I was a single mom at the time with three kids and we had to pull it together and rebuild. At the time, that was probably the worst moment in my life.” PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — Erichea Conti understands the full impact of a tragedy. In 2011, her home in Bastrop County burned down as fires quickly spread across the area.  “I lost everything I owned. I was a single mom at the time with three…

Tuesday’s forecast includes low humidity levels, powerful winds and lots of sun: all the ingredients for wildfires to ignite and spread. National Weather Service officials said the conditions are dangerous and “potentially historic.” A red flag warning is in effect until Tuesday at 9 p.m. Meteorologists are expecting 30 mph sustained winds with gusts up to 55 mph. Humidity levels are expected to drop to 15% – in other words, the air will be super…

“It’s not all hard work. It’s just a matter of steps to harden your homes.” AUSTIN, Texas — A community in northeast Austin is taking the initiative to stop the spread of wildfires in their neighborhood. Firewise USA is a program that helps neighborhoods plan how to protect their homes against wildfires. On Saturday, Walnut Creek Enclave became the 21st Firewise community in Austin after learning tips and tricks to prevent wildfire spread. One neighbor…

From Arctic air to a heavy rain threat? We’re tracking a big pattern change here in Central Texas. AUSTIN, Texas — Our weather has been wild this past week, with a 5-day streak of below-freezing lows coming to an end Saturday morning and a dusting of snow this past Tuesday.  However, we’re now much milder, which means anything that falls from the sky will be of the liquid variety – and we could have a…

Firefighters from the Austin area have traveled to Southern California to help battle the Los Angeles wildfires as another round of powerful Santa Ana winds are expected Monday and Tuesday. More than 40,000 acres have burned and 14,000 structures have been destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires. At least 27 people have died. Round Rock Fire Chief Shane Glaiser estimated around 15 to 20 personnel from the Austin area were deployed to the region,…

Those who were in Austin in 2011 remember the tragic wildfires that hit Bastrop, Steiner Ranch and Spicewood that summer. The fires collectively burned through thousands of acres of land and destroyed over a thousand homes. “You can still drive down 21 in Bastrop and see where the trees were,” Travis County Fire Marshal Gary Howell said. “The scar is still there. And it’s starting to grow back up, but you can still see some…

The crews from Mexico will join thousands of other firefighters on the frontlines of the fires. LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. — As crews continue to battle the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Saturday the arrival of 72 firefighters and disaster relief workers from Mexico.  Crews from Mexico’s National Forestry Commission and Ministry of Defense are joining the ongoing firefighting efforts. In a press release, Newsom expressed deep gratitude to Mexico for sending…