Texas wildfires-Updated

[Annie Oakley]

DATE: September 6, 2011 5:38:02 PM CDT
Fire Update: Spicewood area information

The area is not yet open, however emergency management is hopeful that Spicewood evacuees will be able to return to their homes tomorrow.

To be allowed into the restricted area, residents must pick up wristbands and car placards ahead of time.

Wristbands and placards can be picked up until 7:30 p.m. tonight, or tomorrow, at Bee Caves United Methodist Church

3000 Bee Creek Road, Spicewood, Texas 78669



View this document online

City of Austin

http://www.austinhsem.com/go/doc/3603/970379/

[vbhoutex]

This is the latest update from Jeff. I am only including the fire report portion.

Fire Update:

Winds this afternoon have picked up and helped to spread fires along with very low afternoon RH and dead/dry fuels from the exceptional drought in place. Heavy air assets are pouring into the state including a 737 super tanker from New York State. Currently 60 aircraft are working the active fires over the area.

In total since Sunday morning over 50,000 acres have burned with over 1,000 homes now lost and 4 deaths. This has been one of the worst 48 hour fire period in the state’s history.

Several counties are under dense smoke advisories as massive fires burning in the pine forest over NE TX produce large smoke plumes drifting southward over much of TX. In fact visible images this afternoon show a large amount of smoke extending all the way southward to the US/MX border.

Bastrop Fire:

2 fatal. 34,000 acres burned, 570 homes lost, 1,000 homes threatened. Fire continues to burn southward and eastward. 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. 60% of Bastrop State Park has now burned. This fire is 0% contained.

Grimes County Fire:

7,800 acres burned, 0% 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. Fire has been showing extreme behavior and tree crowning west of Magnolia and continues to actively burn southward, but is being held on FM 1488. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received on this fire. New Mandatory evacuations were ordered this afternoon for Magnolia East and the area just north of FM 1774 and east of FM 1486. Several spot fires have developed this afternoon and spread erratically with shifting winds. DPS aircraft are supporting ground crews from the air, but as of yet there has been only limited air support for this fire. All air resources have been depleted on fires in central TX.

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. 95% contained. 200 homes evacuated, with 400 additional threatened.

Union Chapel Fire (Bastrop County):

920 acres burned. 10% 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, 2000 acres burned, 7 homes lost (fire is 50% 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 200 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 60% contained.

Caldwell County Fire:

8000 acres have burned. Fire is 60% contained.

[Dave]

From the Texas Forest Service's Interagency Coordination Center situation report for today(09/06/11).

Code: Select all

TEXAS FOREST SERVICE INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
National Preparedness Level: 3
Southern Area Preparedness Level: 3
TFS Preparedness Level: 5

CURRENT SITUATION
Yesterday Texas Forest Service responded to 22 new fires for 7,544 acres, including 10 new large fires. In the past seven days Texas Forest Service has responded to 181 fires for 118,413 acres.

It appears that in the past 48 hours, more than 700 homes have been destroyed. As better assessments come in, we will continue to update the situation report.

New large fires from yesterday (more than 100 acres in timber, 300 acres in lighter fuels; or where homes were lost):

*Note: Details on many fires are still unconfirmed. The Dispatch Tracker System was down most of yesterday and went down again this morning. Most of the details below are from late last night.

RILEY ROAD, Grimes County. 3,000 acres, unknown containment. The fire is exhibiting extreme fire behavior as is burns rapidly west of Magnolia. At least 20 homes have been destroyed, with 150 immediately threatened and hundred more in its path. The fire is actively moving to the south. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

TAMINA ROAD, Montgomery County. 150 acres, unknown containment. Two hundred homes have been evacuated in and near the Woodlands and an additional 400 are within a ¼ mile of the fire. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

UNION CHAPEL, Bastrop County. 750 acres, 10 percent contained. Twenty-five homes were destroyed on this fire just west of Bastrop. Aircraft responded immediately after the fire was reported, but were ineffective in the windy conditions.

MOONGLOW, Williamson County. 300 acres, no containment. This fire is burning in Leander where 150 homes were threatened. Thirteen homes are reported lost. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

PETERS CHAPEL, Harrison County. 600 acres, unknown containment. The fire is burning actively in pine plantation. Numerous homes have been evacuated. There are no reports of losses.

#552, Upshur County. 200 acres, unknown containment. The fire is burning in timber. Three homes were lost and dozens remain threatened.

#854, Walker County. 200 acres, unknown containment. Thirty homes have been evacuated, five homes were destroyed.

#507, Anderson County. 1,200 acres, unknown containment.

#505 Rusk County. 400 acres, unknown containment.

#504, Anderson County. 800 acres, unknown containment.

Uncontained fires from previous days (more than 100 acres in timber, 300 acres in lighter fuels):

BASTROP COUNTY COMPLEX, Bastrop County. 30,000 acres, no containment. Heavy airtankers and SEATs assisted on this fire that started in the Lost Pines area just northeast of Bastrop. The fire continues to move rapidly to the south, with some eastward movement. Numerous subdivisions have been evacuated. Reports indicate nearly 600 homes have been destroyed. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

PEDERNALES BEND, Travis County. 6,500 acres, 40 percent contained. The fire is burning four miles southeast of Spicewood. Sixty-seven homes were destroyed. The fire has jumped the Pedernales River and is burning actively towards the south. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

BEAR CREEK (#536), Cass County. 7,000 acres, no containment. The fire is burning in heavy timber and is threatened a gas facility and chicken houses.

STEINER RANCH, Travis County. 125 acres, 40 percent contained. The fire started just north of the Steiner Ranch subdivision. More than 1,000 homes were evacuated. Thirty-five homes were destroyed. A TIFMAS strike team responded. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

HENDERSON #495, Anderson County. 3,700 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. 8,000 acres, 40 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved and six were lost on this fire east of Lockhart.

BAILEY, Colorado County. 1,500 acres, 50 percent contained. This fast-moving fire threatened 40 homes near Columbus.

MOORE, Smith County. 1,300 acres, 90 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**.

DIANA (#545), Upshur County. 750 acres, unknown containment. The fire is burning in grass and timber. Twenty homes are threatened.

LUTHERHILL, Fayette County. 2,000 acres, 50 percent contained. The community of Ruttersville was evacuated. Seven homes are reported lost.

BONBIEW RANCH, Van Zandt County. 350 acres, 80 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved southeast of Canton.

CLEMANIS, Upshur County. 500 acres, 90 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved on this timber fire.

#543, Gregg County. 300 acres, unknown containment. The fire is burning in pine and hardwood. Numerous homes were saved, none lost. The fire is burning in hardwood and pine.

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

#502, Nacogdoches County. 2,900 acres, unknown containment. More than a dozen homes have been evacuated, but none lost.

ARBOR, Houston County. 150 acres, unknown containment. The fire is burning in timber. Up to 15 homes reported lost.

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

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

OLD MAGNOLIA, Gregg County. 500 acres, unknown containment. Several structures and a gas plant are 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). 600 acres, unknown containment. At least fifteen homes are reported lost and more than 300 were evacuated. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was denied.

101 RANCH, Palo Pinto County. 6,555 acres, 85 percent contained. The fire is burning on the south side of Possum Kingdom Lake near the town of Brad. Thirty-nine homes and nine RV’s have been reported destroyed. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was received.

[somethingfunny]

This isn't a sped-up time-lapse, it's actual speed:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhJeDYQVtdQ&sns=fb[/youtube]

Video shot September 5, 2011 on the north edge of Bastrop State Park. All but about 100 acres of the 6,000-acre park have been blackened by fire. Firefighters have been battling blazes for 3 days. At this point, historic CCC buildings are still intact. For more information, see http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/

Rough estimate of burn area in Bastrop County:



City got really, really lucky....we need that fire extinguished before the winds shift again.

[WeatherLovingDoc]

working on it



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[southerngale]

Jeff Lindner's update about 30 minutes ago:

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.

[txwxpirate]

If anyone is near the Montgomery County area
our firefighters are asking for the followingL

Magnolia TX Fire and Evacuation Information
Magnolia West Command Center is in need of anti-acids like Tums and Rolaids. Please deliver these items to Magnolia Fire Department on Buddy Riley Rd. Thanks everyone!

Last night they were asking for lip balm, power bars and beef jerky(!)

If you are on facebook, Magnolia Tx Fire and Evacuation Information
has all the evacuation information and other up to date info on
that area.

[vbhoutex]

That map of the Bastrop fire burned area is FRIGHTENING!!! I did not realize how close to the city it was!!! I have driven through that area many times. That map really brings it home!!!

[Turtle]

There's been fire popping up everywhere recently. Im at school, and outside the window it started getting smoky again. I can even smell it inside.

One question: How come in the morning, there is no smoke in the sky? It seems like later morning and noon it gets smoky.

[txwxpirate]

From Houston/GalvestonNWS DISCO

.FIRE WEATHER...
THE BAD NEWS IS THAT ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST
THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK. DRY AIRMASS SHOULD REMAIN IN PLACE AND
WITH MAX TEMPS IN THE LOW 90S...EXPECT HUMIDITY LEVELS TO DROP BELOW
15 PERCENT IN MANY LOCATIONS ACROSS SE TX. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO
REMAIN BELOW 10 MPH MAINLY FROM THE NE BUT COULD TURN MORE NORTHERLY
TOMORROW AND FRI. DEPENDING ON ANY TROPICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE
GULF...POSSIBLE TO HAVE EASTERLY WINDS FOR THE WEEKEND AND EARLY
NEXT WEEK. THE REALLY BAD NEWS IS THAT THERE IS NO RAIN IN THE
FORECAST AND THE EXTENDED FORECAST REMAINS UNCERTAIN UNTIL MODELS
LATCH ONTO ANY TROPICAL DEVELOPMENT

[horselattitudesfarm]

working on it



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Just another one of my favorite areas in Texas that is now destroyed. Possum Kingdom was another. Not too many places in this state for me to go enjoy anymore with our new climate. So sad.

[Garnet1995]

My daughter is babysitting for her trainer that went to help a friend move horses. She is just north of Needville tx and sent me a picture of a fire plume west of there. I can't find any info on this fire. Does anyone know anything....can't reach sheriff dept right now.

[vbhoutex]

My daughter is babysitting for her trainer that went to help a friend move horses. She is just north of Needville tx and sent me a picture of a fire plume west of there. I can't find any info on this fire. Does anyone know anything....can't reach sheriff dept right now.

There is a new fire out there. That is all I know. Try KHOU.com for info. They seem to have the best coverage.

[vbhoutex]

This is an image my son took on his way home. His house is the one with the pick up truck in front of it.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[vbhoutex]

And one from my son's back yard. They are about 10 miles South of the fire. Even though they are doing well with containment they have had to order new evacuations due to the fire jumping the road that had been holding it back from moving further South.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[txwxpirate]

Too close for comfort VB

Here is the latest evacuations Garnet
might be outdated since new fires have broke out
but KHOU is really a good source

http://www.khou.com/news/Wildfire-threa ... 68548.html

GARNET _ here is what you are looking for

http://www.click2houston.com/news/29110602/detail.html
Fire did break out in NEEDVILLE

[vbhoutex]

Unfortunately, as you already know we now have confirmation that the fire has crossed into Harris County now and additional evacuations have been ordered. Harris County has now begun dispatching resources for the fire also. And we also have at least 2 more fires in the metro area including one that is on the NE side of town near Beltway 8 and the city limits. I can see what I think is the plume from the Needville fire to the SW of the city in Fort Bend County also. Ugh!!
Edit- not sure I am seeing the Needvile plume but definitely seeing the Magnolia plume and it has definitely shifted E. In fact I can see the initial plume like in the above photo now and I haven't been able to do that before. It is still at least 25 miles N of me so I am not worried about my home.

[WeatherLovingDoc]

I am so sorry, fellow Texans. These fires are just horrible. You have gone through so much this summer with the heat, drought, and now fire. I check the news hoping for improvement and no winds!

[South Texas Storms]

Man it would be a huge blessing if we could get some rain from TS Nate in a few days. I would love for all the fires to be put out by a nice tropical downpour. I really, really hope it happens.

[Tireman4]

I saw the plume coming home from my way to work. Yes, we could see it from Humble. We are aways from that fire. Sigh.