Elevated fire weather conditions remain across the area today…and for the rest of the week.
Winds today will be from the NE and E at 5-10mph and 10-15mph during the mid to late afternoon (similar to Tuesday). Afternoon RH values will fall to 20% or less. On Tuesday values fell to between 12-22%. Given the very dry air mass and extremely dry ground fuels, the fire weather threat will remain elevated. Overnight RH recovery is expected into the 50-70% range and winds of less than 5mph. These conditions would typically not cause great fire weather concerns, but given the dry fuels and exceptional drought fire development and spread will be possible.
Winds will shift more to the north on Thursday as another surge of dry air moves into the region. Still expect speeds less than 15mph.
Light winds will make for poor plume dispersion near fires and visibilities will be 1 mile or less in heavy smoke. Widespread smoke is clearly noted across much of the area from ongoing local fires and fires over NE TX.
End of the week may feature stronger winds as a tropical system attempts to develop in the southern Gulf. Will see how things unfold over the next 24 hours, but fire weather conditions may become critical again by Friday/Saturday especially west of I-45.
Resources:Numerous out of state resources continue to move into the state in response to the fires. A DC 10 aircraft capable of dropping 12,000 gallons of water/retardant arrive at 800pm Tuesday in Austin. 3 wildfire teams from southern California (such event are more common there than here) will arrive in the state on Thursday. Texas Task Force 1 is being deployed to the Bastrop Fire today.
Note: Satellite shows smoke across much of the area this morning. Due to light winds and a strong low level inversion, smoke near the fires may reduce visibilities to less than 1 mile.
Bastrop Fire:2 fatal. 34,000 acres burned, 570 homes lost, 1,000 homes threatened. Fire continues to burn southward and eastward but has greatly slowed overnight. Heavy air support from both air tankers and helicopters continue to work this fire along with at least 350 fire fighters. 11 aircraft are working this fire along with at least 14 dozer crews. At least 20 subdivisions are evacuated and 5-6 have burned completely. HWY 71 and Hwy 21 are closed. This is currently the largest fire burning in the state of Texas and is now the
most destructive fire ever in TX history. FEMA Grant was received on this fire. 80% of Bastrop State Park has now burned. This fire is 15% contained. The burn area is 24 miles long by 20 miles wide.
Grimes County Fire:7,800 acres burned, 40% containment. 90 homes lost, at least 150 homes are immediately threatened and over 100 more homes in the fire path. 4 fire fighters have been injured. Mandatory evacuation order remains in effect for 8,000 residents in Grimes, Waller, and Montgomery Counties. FM 1488 fire line continues to be held and ground crews have cut good fire lines overnight. Several fire departments from across the area are working this fire including Cy-Fair, Spring, Conroe, and numerous VFD’s from Waller, Brazos, Grimes, and Montgomery counties. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received on this fire.
Evacuation Areas:http://dig.abclocal.go.com/ktrk/EvacAreaEST.pdf Grimes Co.Lake Holley Hills
Fox Fires
Montgomery Co.High Chapperal
Toby's Village
Magnolia East
Ranch Crest
Shady Brook Acres
River Park Ranch
Magnolia West
Waller Co. FM 1488 at Bowler to Joseph Road will remain closed. Anyone living north of 1488 who has been evacuated will not be able to return home.
Spicewood Fire (Travis County):6500 acres burned, 67 homes have been lost (22 in one subdivision). The fire has jumped the Pedernales River and continues to burn southward. Numerous evacuations orders are in place. At least 500 homes are threatened. Fire is 80% contained. 17 state agencies are working his fire along with 150 fire fighters. FEMA grant was received.
Steiner Ranch Fire (Travis County):162 acre, 35 homes burned. 1000 homes threatened. Fire is contained and the evacuation order has been lifted. FEMA Grant was received.
Montgomery County (Tamina Rd):
150 acres burned. 100% contained. 200 homes evacuated, with 400 additional threatened.
Union Chapel Fire (Bastrop County):920 acres burned. 20% contained. 27 homes burned on the west side of Bastrop. Mandatory evacuations in place for western City of Bastrop. Heavy air support was unable to contain the fire.
Fayette County Fire:Fire continues to burn near Ruttersville, 2700 acres burned, 7 homes lost (fire is 95% contained).
Houston County:3,000 acres burning in heavy timber east of I-45. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for CR 4505,4529,4120,4520,8120,4130,4141,4145, PR 9542,8015, and Possum Pass Rd. 90% containment. 15 homes have been lost.
Leon County Fire:4,000 acres burned near Robbins. 300 homes evacuated, 15 homes were lost. 0% containment.
Walker County Fire:Fire is burning 1000 acres east of I-45. 90% containment. 30 homes are being evacuated, 5 homes have been lost.
Colorado County Fire:Fire has burned 3500 acres in mainly grass and shrubs. 8 homes have been lost. Fire is 75% contained.
Caldwell County Fire:8000 acres have burned. Fire is 60% contained.
Cass County:30,000 acres burned. Fire is burning in heavy pine plantation. 0% contained.