BASTROP, TX – A massive wildfire has burned nearly a thousand acres at the Bastrop State Park near Bastrop southeast of Austin.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, on Jan. 18, firefighters with the Texas A&M Forest Service were dispatched to a controlled burn that turned into a massive wildfire near Bastrop.
When the firefighters arrived the fire was at 150 acres and was zero percent contained. Two hours later the fire doubled.
The Rolling Pines wildfire is threatening the same location where a huge wildfire devastated the area in 2011. It burned for 55 days, destroyed 1,600 homes and burned 32,000 acres. That fire started in September, sparked by tree limbs that snapped and hit power lines, and was made worse by strong winds.
After fighting the fire all night, the forest service was able to get the fire at 30% contained. By that time over 750 acres had burned.
The forest service has placed a temporary flight restriction over the Rolling Pines Fire.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott released the following statement regarding the large fire:
“The State of Texas has deployed numerous resources to assist local officials as they combat the Rolling Pines fire in Bastrop County. Texas A&M Forest Service has deployed three Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System strike teams which include approximately 75 firefighters. Texas A&M Forest Service assets include more than 15 personnel, four dozers, one engine, aircraft including attack aerial supervision aircrafts, and two large air tankers to assist with fire retardant drops. In addition, an Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF) Wildland Support Package is responding to assist in meeting any medical needs, and the Texas Division of Emergency Management is responding with personnel support on scene. The Texas Military Department has deployed a UH60 helicopter with a fire suppression water bucket and has additional aircraft on standby. We will continue to monitor the situation in Bastrop County and are ready to deploy additional state resources as needed to contain this wildfire and keep Texans safe."
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