Single Publication

Oak Grove Fire Update

Monday August 7, 2023

9:30 pm

Size: 400 acres

Containment: 90%

Start Date: August 5, 2023

Cause: Under Investigation

At 3:20 p.m. on Aug. 5, Texas A&M Forest Service received a request for assistance on a fire burning north of San Marcos, Hays County, Texas. The fire is burning in grass and brush fuels, and was initially exhibiting moderate to extreme fire behavior, making runs and spotting in several areas. As of 6:24 p.m. on Aug. 5, the fire jumped the Blanco River and was actively burning on the north side. By 8:47 p.m., fire activity had diminished and forward progression was stopped.

Texas A&M Forest Service has mobilized the following to assist with response efforts: fire managers and miscellaneous overhead, dozers, the Cherokee Interagency Hotshot Crew, engine crews from Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF) personnel and aircraft, including single engine air tankers and Super Scoopers.

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place for the area over the fire [NOTAM: FDC 3/8882, https://bit.ly/44Uhymh]. Please avoid the area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft. 

Yesterday:

The Oak Grove Fire command was transferred to Incident Commander Dustin Dill yesterday morning. The dozer crews, engine crews and hand crews arrived on scene by 9:30 am and continued containment line construction, patrolling and heat suppression activities on both flanks of the fire. Air resources, including a Texas A&M Forest Service air attack plane and Blackhawk helicopters, assisted with fire overview from the sky and water drops during the day.

Containment line construction was limited in the afternoon due to vegetation and location, however there was good progress on containment and no fire growth. By end of shift around 8:30 pm, containment reached 50% and all resources were released for the night.

Today:

Texas A&M Forest Service crews and helicopters began work this morning around 9:30 am. The Blackhawk helicopter will continue dropping fire retardant over intense heat areas (specific flank/location?) as preparation for ground crew suppression activities. By mid-day, the containment on the south side of the Blanco River was completed, but work continued on the north side of the river. All line construction was completed by 5:00pm and containment was estimated at 75%. Crews continued to patrol and suppress hot or smoldering areas within the containment area until 7:00pm when all resources were released for the night. Containment is now 90%.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Mostly clear, hot, and dry conditions will continue through the day, with minimum relative humidity falling to 20-25 percent in the afternoon. Winds will be from the south blowing at 10-15 mph with occasional gusts to 20-25 mph during the afternoon and evening hours. These winds combined with low humidity and critically dry fuels will produce critical fire weather conditions and a Red Flag Warning is in effect for this afternoon and evening.

Evacuations: None

Damages/Injuries:  One residence and an unknown number of outbuildings were destroyed. Officials will continue to assess any further reports of damages and provide updates if any new information arises.

Closures: None