Home > The Blotter > Archives > 2011 > September > 04 > Entry
Wildfires destroy homes, force evacuations; Pedernales, Pflugerville, Cedar Park among areas affected
Updated at 4:35 p.m.:
Another fire has broken out in the Pedernales area off Paleface Ranch Road, off Texas 71 in western Travis County.
Fire officials had hoped the road would help keep the fire from spreading, but the fire already has “jumped across…and is headed toward the lake,” said Westlake Fire Chief Gary Warren, who is helping coordinate resources for several fires burning in Travis County. “They are working hard to control that one.”
It is unclear how large the fire is at this time, but it is uncontained, Warren said. Fire officials across Central Texas are taxed as several fires have broken out in Pflugeville, Cedar Park, Pedernales and Bastrop.
“We don’t know how any of these started yet. We’re just busy trying to fight them,” Warren said.
A Travis County STAR Flight helicopter is en route to provide air reconnaissance, he said.
Fire officials have also asked the state to provide assistance for the Pedernales and Pflugerville fires.
Updated at 4:26 p.m.:
The brush fire has consumed 175-200 acres in the Weiss Lane area of Pflugerville and is not yet under control, said Travis County sheriff’s department spokesman Roger Wade.
Another 10 homes are currently in the path of the fire. Firefighters are taking steps to protect those homes by wetting down areas and other fire prevention techniques, Wade said.
Meanwhile, firefighters are battling fires at two homes in the Gatlinburg subdivision off Immanuel Road, he said.
Updated at 2:57 p.m.: Updates that there were three fires in Pflugerville; release from Pflugerville police appended.
Crews are battling brush fires around the area today, and at least two homes have been destroyed.
One of three brush fires in Pflugerville is still burning, and residents have been evacuated in an area near Hodde Lane. An earlier fire near Pfluger and Willow streets that burned 20 acres has reportedly been extinguished. Check back soon for more details.
Meanwhile, a fire in Cedar Park that ignited in a field behind houses on Bois D’Arc Lane destroyed two homes there. Fire Chief Chris Connealy said the fire was reported about 11:30 a.m. and was considered contained by 1:45 p.m. Crews will remain on the scene to spread fire retardant and watch for flareups, he said.
The two families who lost their homes, in the 2600 block of Bois D’Arc, were getting help from the Red Cross and a local church, the chief said.
FROM THE PFLUGERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT:
On 09-04-11 three separate grass fires erupted threatening structures and farm land in Pflugerville between 11:00am and 12:55pm.
The first fire was reported at 11:00 am. The Pflugerville Police Department received a phone call from a resident advising that there was a grass fire in the 600 Block of E. Pfluger La. The fire rapidly moved southeast through a field and tree line. Several acres of farm land and trees were damaged by the fire. Due to the high winds, the fire jumped the 15900 block of Dessau Rd. starting several small grass fires and threatening structures. Pflugerville Fire Department was assisted by Pflugerville Police Department, Travis County Sheriff’s Department, Austin Fire Department, Manor Fire Department, Starflight and Austin EMS. As of 1:49pm the fire was completely contained and extinguished.
At 1208 pm the Pflugerville Police DeÂpartment received another call of a grass fire at Hodde La. and Cele Rd., in Travis County Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction. Upon officers arrival a grass fire was located at 19727 Hodde La. and was rapidly moving through open fields in a south easterly direction towards the Reserves at Westcreek.
Residents of the Reserves at Westcreek were evacuated to Hendrickson High School. As of 2:00pm, the fire is not contained and is moving south, paralleling Wilke Lane. The Pflugerville Fire Department, Manor Fire Department, Austin Fire Department, Starflight and Round Rock Fire Department are actively fighting the fire. Travis County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Pflugerville ISD Police and Pflugerville Police Department are also on scene. All inquires regarding this incident should be made to TCSO Public Information Officer.
At 12:55 pm the Pflugerville Police DeÂpartment received yet another call of a grass fire threatening a densely populated area in the 16000 block of Stoneham Cir. The fire broke out behind 16111 Stoneham Cir.
Pflugerville Police Department, Austin Fire Department and Pflugerville ISD Police responded to the scene. There were no residential structures damaged in this fire. Damages included one storage shed and approximately 300 feet of privacy fence belonging to seven different homes.
Estimates for total damages and losses are not available at this time.
