Austin Texas News

Dry grass, wind and relatively low humidity means a fire can spread easily and be difficult to control. All it takes is a spark from a metal lawnmower blade hitting a rock, a loose chain dragging on the road behind a vehicle, a car idling in tall grass or a lit cigarette thrown out a window. If a fire starts near your home and you are asked to evacuate, you may not have much time…

Danielle Wills said the wildfire got very close to her gym, Tumble Tech. CEDAR PARK, Texas — The owner of a Cedar Park tumbling gym said the wildfire burning near Parmer Lane and Whitestone Boulevard got very close to her business on Tuesday. Danielle Wills, owner of Tumble Tech on Toro Grande Drive, reached out to KVUE to say the fire caused some issues for parents trying to pick up their children Tuesday afternoon. “[The]…

Mandatory evacuations are underway in parts of Hawaii as devastating wildfires, fueled by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, burn through several island communities. Widespread power outages are also being reported and the 911 system is down in some areas. Mahina Martin, chief of communications and public affairs for Maui County, joined CBS News to discuss the situation.

People jumped into the water Tuesday in the Hawaiian town of Lahaina on Maui to escape flames and smoke from a wildfire. Another wildfire, in central Texas just north of Austin, destroyed an apartment building Tuesday night.

Gusts up to 80 mph were hitting hard. In one town, people were jumping into the water to escape a blaze.

The Texas A&M Forest Service has raised the State Wildfire Preparedness Level to Level 4 due to the recent increase in wildfire activity statewide and growing potential for wildfires to become more severe and harder to control. “The decision to move to a Preparedness Level 4 indicates that the complexity of wildfires across Texas is increasing to where they require more time, personnel and equipment to contain and put out,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service…

A massive storm system wreaked havoc on the South and East Coast Monday night. Thousands were left without power, and at least two people were killed. Meg Oliver reports from Maryland.

Storms featuring hail and lightning in some places also caused thousands of flight cancelations or delays and left more than 1.1 million homes and businesses in the dark.

Some residents are calling for better evacuation options in communities with one outlet. HAYS COUNTY, Texas — The devastation left behind by the Oak Grove wildfire in Hays County is jaw-dropping. Charred vegetation now lines Fox Road.  Hays County officials say they were able to improve communication to residents during this incident, but a big concern for residents now is evacuation routes for people who live in areas with just one way out. Jacob is…

The East Coast is facing a forecast of severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes.

A mid-air collision of two helicopters dispatched to fight a fire east of Los Angeles Sunday night caused one of the aircraft to crash, killing three people onboard. The other chopper landed safely. CBS News Los Angeles reporter Kara Finnstrom has the latest.

Millions of Americans are under severe weather warnings with the South still enduring triple-digit heat and a tornado-producing storm system in the Midwest. CBS News correspondent Omar Villafranca has the latest.

While Texas and other southern states swelter in triple-digit temperatures, the Midwest and states to the east are facing the threat of severe storms. CBS News’ Omar Villafranca reports from Dallas.

A home collapsed into a raging river swollen by waters from a glacial dam release north of the state capital of Juneau, the National Weather Service said.

As of Sunday evening, the Oak Grove fire is 50% contained. AUSTIN, Texas — At least one home has been destroyed as firefighters in Hays County battle a wildfire that sparked near San Marcos on Saturday afternoon. According to Hays County officials and the Texas A&M Forest Service, the 400-acre fire, now being called the Oak Grove fire, sparked up around 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 5. The Hays County Wildland Task Force responded, and other…