Austin Texas News

It was a Labor Day weekend that people who lived in the Austin area 14 years ago likely won’t forget: an outbreak of wildfires that left hundreds homeless. AUSTIN, Texas — On Sep. 4, 2011, the ingredients came together to create a Central Texas wildfire disaster: a persistent drought, gusty winds caused by a storm system hundreds of miles away and record high temperatures. That Labor Day weekend saw dozens of wildfire spring up across…

A battalion chief for the Austin Fire Department says mitigating any risk starts with the homeowner. AUSTIN, Texas — As the California wildfires rage on, some Central Texans are sounding the alarm on the possibility of one happening in Austin. One Sunset Valley homeowner, Horacio Gasquet, says the risk is high.  “I have all these woods here and there’s a ton of dead and down material that can burn and make some rather large fires,”…

Thousands of firefighters are battling at least three separate blazes Wednesday, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena. LOS ANGELES — Fierce wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, sending residents fleeing from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke. Thousands of firefighters were battling at least three separate blazes on Wednesday, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena. Here’s the latest: 5 people…

Goats will eat grass, plants and shrubs along the Chaparral Hiking Trail. AUSTIN, Texas — A herd of hardworking goats are headed to Steiner Ranch to help reduce wildfire risk. Steiner Ranch’s HOA and Lake Travis Fire and Rescue hired the goats to graze 24/7, now through Friday. Goats will eat grass, plants and shrubs in the greenbelt along the Chaparral Hiking Trail. Lake Travis Fire and Rescue said the pilot project is part of…

Goats will eat grass, plants and shrubs along the Chaparral Hiking Trail. AUSTIN, Texas — A herd of hardworking goats are headed to Steiner Ranch to help reduce wildfire risk. Steiner Ranch’s HOA and Lake Travis Fire and Rescue hired the goats to graze 24/7, now through Friday. Goats will eat grass, plants and shrubs in the greenbelt along the Chaparral Hiking Trail. Lake Travis Fire and Rescue said the pilot project is part of…

Our weather is pleasant and a little cooler for Christmas Day, but we’re not done with active weather for this week. AUSTIN, Texas — It was a very active Christmas Eve for the eastern half of our KVUE area with a several severe storms, and even a couple of tornado warnings. We did have several reports of hail sent in, but fortunately no reports of tornado damage. In the wake of these storms, our weather…

There are plenty of ways to protect vehicles with limited time before severe weather hits. AUSTIN, Texas — If you’ve lived in Texas long enough, chances are you’ve been burned by a nasty hailstorm at least once in your life. Storms in Texas can bring all kinds of storms and sometimes large-sized hail in just a matter of minutes. If you only have a small window to prepare and don’t have access to covered parking,…

A fire spread from one home to a neighboring home, according to the Austin Fire Department. AUSTIN, Texas — A house fire spread from one home to another early Tuesday morning in southeast Austin, according to first responders.  The Austin Fire Department (AFD) said crews arrived around 3:30 a.m. to the 4600 block of Turnstone Drive, near East William Cannon Drive and South Pleasant Valley Road.  Once on scene, responders said the fire was located…

A fire spread from one home to a neighboring residence, according to the Austin Fire Department. AUSTIN, Texas — A house fire spread from one home to another early Tuesday morning in southeast Austin, according to responders.  The Austin Fire Department (AFD) said crews arrived around 3:30 a.m. to the 4600 block of Turnstone Dr., by East William Cannon Drive and South Pleasant Valley Road.  Once on scene, responders said the fire was located in…

A wildfire fueled by high winds is spreading near Bastrop State Park, the Texas A&M Forest Service says. The Hudson Fire, which has burned 250 acres as of 5:10 p.m. Sunday, is 5% contained and moving north between Bastrop State Park and Buescher State Park, officials said. The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management, which is posting updates on its Facebook page, says there are evacuations in effect along Park Road 1C between Alum Creek…

The evacuations were initially put in place for the area along Park Road 1C between Alum Creek Road and Cottletown Road, but were expanded as the fire grew. AUSTIN, Texas — Evacuations are underway as crews work to contain a 50-acre wildfire that sparked in Bastrop County Sunday afternoon. According to the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management, crews responded to the wildfire – named the Hudson Fire – burning south of Park Road 1C…

The evacuations were put in place for the area along Park Road 1C between Alum Creek Road and Cottletown Road. AUSTIN, Texas — Evacuations are underway as crews work to contain a 50-acre wildfire that sparked in Bastrop County Sunday afternoon. According to the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management, crews responded to the wildfire – named the Hudson Fire – burning south of Park Road 1C at around 1:50 p.m. Precautionary evacuation orders were…

Here are the latest updates from the KVUE Weather Team. Author: Shane Hinton (KVUE), Jordan Darensbourg, Hunter Williams, Grace Thornton Published: 11:46 AM CST March 6, 2019 Updated: 6:55 PM CDT November 2, 2024 AUSTIN, Texas — We just wrapped up the warmest October on record and the 2nd driest October on record for Austin, but our weather pattern is now looking a bit more active to start the month of November.  Through the day…

Austin and Travis County are issuing a disaster declaration in preparation for severe risk of wildfires as dry conditions elevate fire weather conditions. Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Mayor Kirk Watson each signed a declaration on Thursday. Those came just three days after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 143 counties, including Travis County. Hays and Williamson Counties are also included. Watson said signing the declarations is preemptive. It allows the city…

AUSTIN, Texas — More than 20 Austin restaurants will be donating a portion of their proceeds this weekend to help with food and water relief in Florida and other states affected by hurricanes Milton and Helene. Austin food blogger Austin Food Adventures is organizing the “Dine with Florida” initiative, which will happen at participating restaurants on Saturday, Oct. 19. The restaurants will be donating directly to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit helping provide meals and…