Summit County Citizens Voice

Fire officials reported 63 new fires in Texas Sept. 4. Click on the image for the latest interactive version of the map.

High winds continue to drive flames across east Texas

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Texas Forest Service reported 63 new fires Sept. 4 including a monster 17,000 acre blaze that destroyed 300 homes in Bastrop County, where another 1,000 homes are threatened. Authorities said a fire in Gregg County, in northeast Texas, killed two people.

According to the Inciweb page on the Bastrop County fire complex, the fire remains uncontained and numerous neighborhoods have been evacuated.

Sunday’s wildfires have burned across 33,000 acres. Strong winds on the west side of Tropical Storm Lee caused the fires to spread rapidly in fuels left bone-dry by months of extreme drought. The forecast weather in the area includes highs in the upper 90s, winds of near 30 mph and a relative humidity of 18 percent.

A helicopter scoops water to fight the Bastrop fire complex in Texas. PHOTO COURTESY TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE. Click on the image to see more photos on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Facebook page.

State and federal officials mobilized additional National Guard Blackhawk helicopters and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System strike teams, as well as a heavy airtanker from South Dakota to assist with the large number of fires. Weather conditions are expected to reach critical levels again today (Monday, Sept. 5).

The Texas Forest Service has dozens of aircraft ready to respond this morning, including four heavy airtankers, 15 single-engine airtankers, 12 helicopters, and 13 aerial supervision aircraft. A Type 1 incident management team has been requested to assist with the Bastrop County Complex.

Latest information from the Texas Forest Service wildfire information page.

* Note: Details on many fires are still unconfirmed. Below is the latest information provided.

BASTROP COUNTY COMPLEX, Bastrop County. 14,000 acres, no containment. Heavy airtankers and single-engine airtankers assisted on this fire that started in the Lost Pines area just northeast of Bastrop. The fire has moved unchecked for at least 16 miles to the south and has jumped the Colorado River twice. The Circle D, K.C. Estates, Pine Forest, Colovista and Tahitian Village subdivision have been evacuated. Firefighters are trying to hold the fire at FM 2571. Reports indicate possibly 300 homes have been destroyed. MODIS satellite image indicates the fire has jumped Highway 95 and is approximately 25,000 acres.

STEINER RANCH, Travis County. 150 acres, no containment. The fire started just north of the Steiner Ranch subdivision. More than 1,000 homes are under mandatory evacuation in Steiner Ranch. At least 25 homes are reported lost. A Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System strike team responded.

PEDERNALES BEND, Travis County. 7,000 acres, unknown containment. The fire is burning four miles southeast of Spicewood. Twenty homes were lost, 30 homes damaged.

HENDERSON #495, Henderson County. 5,000 acres, unknown containment. Three homes were saved.

#491, Limestone County. 3,000 acres, unknown containment. Six homes were saved and one was lost on this fire 20 miles east of Waco.

DELHI, Caldwell County. 1,000 acres, 10 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved and six were lost on this fire east of Lockhart.

BAILEY, Colorado County. 1,000 acres, unknown containment. This fast-moving fire threatened 40 homes near Columbus. Blackhawks, single-engine airtankers and a heavy airtanker assisted.

MOORE, Smith County. 927 acres, 5 percent contained. Ten homes were evacuated and five were lost on this fire burning on the Smith/Gregg County line. Two civilian fatalities were reported.

#545, Upshur County. 500 acres, 50 percent contained. One hundred homes were saved; none lost. The fire is burning East of Gilmer.

LUTHERHILL, Fayette County. 2,000 acres, unknown containment. The community of Ruttersville was evacuated. Seven homes are reported lost.

BONBIEW RANCH, Van Zandt County. 350 acres, unknown containment. Twenty homes were saved southeast of Canton.

CLEMANIS, Upshur County. 400 acres, 85 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved.

#543, Gregg County. 300 acres, unknown containment. Numerous homes were saved, none lost.

#538, Harrison County. 200 acres, contained. One hundred fifty homes were evacuated in a trailer park east of Longview.

#502, Nacogdoches County. 200 acres, unknown containment. More than a dozen homes have been evacuated, but none lost.

#841, Houston County. 200 acres, unknown containment. Fifteen homes were threatened east of Crockett.

PLEASANT GREEN ROAD, Gregg County. 150 acres, contained. Numerous homes evacuated and saved south of Longview.

KENNEDY ROAD, Rusk County. 150 acres, unknown containment. Numerous homes threatened, one lost.

HODDE, Travis County. 325 acres, contained. Two hundred homes were evacuated and saved east of Pflugerville. No homes reported lost.

PETTYTOWN, Caldwell County. 200 acres, 90 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved east of Lockhart.

OLD MAGNOLIA, Gregg County. 100 acres, unknown containment. No homes threatened. Two fuel tanks exploded.

SOUTH SULPHER, Hunt County. 100 acres, 70 percent contained. Five homes were threatened and two were destroyed.

#839, Leon County (Concord Robbins). 100 acres, unknown containment. At least 15 homes are reported lost and more than 300 were evacuated.

Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, forest fires Tagged: | 2011 wildfires, Bastrop County Texas, Bastrop fire Texas, Bastrop wildfire, map of texas fires, Texas fires map, Texas Forest Service, Texas wildfires