Austin Texas News

Following these tips can help prevent and mitigate the damage of wildfires.

BALCH SPRINGS, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – The Balch Springs Fire Department has released more information about the grass fire that caught several homes on fire Monday afternoon. The grass fire was first reported to officials at 3:17 p.m. Monday. When fire officials responded, there were three acres on fire and winds were gusting between 15 and 20 MPH, causing the fire to spread quickly. Balch Springs Fire Marshal Sean Davis said they believe a lawn crew…

Residents within a two-mile radius were asked to evacuate Saturday afternoon and were allowed to return in the evening. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management said Saturday evening that all evacuees asked to leave their homes due to the wildfire are now allowed to return. Williamson County authorities first reported a 100-acre fire in Liberty Hill early Saturday afternoon. That fire has since burned through 500 acres and was 75%…

Residents within a two-mile radius were asked to evacuate Saturday afternoon and were allowed to return in the evening. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management said Saturday evening that all evacuees asked to leave their homes due to the wildfire are now allowed to return. Williamson County authorities first reported a 100-acre fire in Liberty Hill early Saturday afternoon. That fire has since burned through 500 acres and was 25%…

The governor signed the declaration in Glen Rose, near where the large Chalk Mountain Fire is burning.

SOMERVELL COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) – Residents just southwest of DFW are praying that spiritual power will prevent devastating wildfires from doing more damage in Somerville County.  CBS 11 News had the only camera inside the evacuation center where a prayer vigil took place Wednesday night.  There were tears here tonight for those who lost everything and passionate prayers for divine intervention to stop fires that are still raging and threatening homes.  “Lord we don’t understand loss…

NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) — Fighting near constant fires in these triple digit temperatures is taking a physical and mental toll on first responders in Texas. “So far this week, we have crews out in the Wichita Falls area, out at Possum Kingdom Lake, and we also had crews yesterday out in Bridgeport,” said Deputy Chief Brandon Barth with the Flower Mound Fire Department. The Flower Mound Fire Department sends strike teams out 14 days at a…

The Texas A&M Forest Service provided updates on the 1148 and Chalk Mountain fires Wednesday morning

FLORENCE, Texas — The extreme heat has been sparking grassfires in Central Texas. On Monday, fire crews worked to contain a 90-acre fire off County Road 220 in Florence, Texas. Fourteen emergency services agencies worked together to put the fire out. No homes or businesses were affected, and no injuries were reported. Williamson County Emergency Services said the fire departments of Florence, Coupland, Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Round Rock, Hutto, Pflugerville and Burnet; ESD 5; Travis…

KAUFMAN COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) – A disaster declaration has been issued in Kaufman County due to a burning wildfire. The declaration is in effect for seven days after being issued. The almost 500-acre wildfire, labeled King’s Creek Fire, is not spreading anymore but continues to burn.  The fire began burning at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday along County Road 4061. As of 8:30 a.m. Monday, the fire is an estimated 508 acres with 75% contained. As of…

A fire has broken out in Palo Pinto County near Possum Kingdom Lake.

PALO PINTO COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) – A fire has broken out in Palo Pinto County near Possum Kingdom Lake.  On Monday, an estimated 200-acre wildfire started near Possum Kingdom Lake. According to Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire is 0% contained as of Monday afternoon. Alert: Texas A&M Forest Service is responding to a request for assistance in Palo Pinto County on the #1148Fire. The fire is an estimated 200 acres and 0% contained. #txfire pic.twitter.com/CIeH8MrG5V…

The base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will accept aircraft coming and going from wildfires all over the state. AUSTIN, Texas — As dry conditions continue to raise the risk to wildfires across the state, the Texas A&M Forest Service on Friday announced that it is opening the Austin Airtanker Base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to insist with fire activity in Texas. Officials say this year’s activity is trending above normal. Since Jan. 1, the service…

Parts of North Texas are under severe thunderstorm warnings Thursday afternoon. The warnings are in effect through 1:15 P.M.