Single Publication

Powder Keg Pine Fire Update

Wednesday, August 3, 2023

8:00 pm

Size: 117

Containment: 90%

Start Date: August 1, 2023

Cause: Under Investigation

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 1, Texas A&M Forest Service received a request for assistance with a fire burning in brush and pine in Bastrop, Texas. Texas A&M Forest Service responded shortly after with personnel, heavy equipment and aviation resources. Air operations provided the “eye in the sky” for fire assessment as well as planes and helicopters delivering water drops.

Aircraft and engine crews engaged in protecting threatened structures, one structure was lost and one was damaged. Residents on Harmon Road and Pine Hill Loop were evacuated at 2pm but allowed to return at 9:00pm.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place for the area over the Powder Keg Pine Fire. Please avoid the area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft.

Yesterday:

On August 2nd, staff from Texas A&M Forest Service Smithville Task Force are coordinating with the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System Strike Team (TIFMAS), Texas Division of Emergency Management and Wildland Fire Medical Support Unit to contain the fire. The Powder Keg Pine Fire is still showing a lot of smoke, but fire stayed within containment lines overnight and had no additional growth.

During the morning, dozers strengthened containment lines while engines and hand crews conducted mop up. A Red Flag Warning, when Relative Humidity values are at their minimum and temperature and wind speeds are at the maximum, was in effect during the afternoon. However, crews continued to make good progress with mop up and all Texas A&M Forest Service resources were released for the night at 8:00 pm. The local fire department monitored the fire perimeter overnight. At end of shift, containment was at 75%

Today:

Texas A&M Fire Service arrived on scene this morning at approximately 9:30am. The Powder Keg Pine Fire received beneficial humidity recovery through the night and there was no additional growth. The fire remains within the constructed containment lines, however there is still a lot of interior heat that engine crews will work on suppressing today. Crews will also patrol the completed containment line, spraying water to mitigate heat and smoldering stumps. Residents and commuters in the area should still expect to see smoke for the next few days.

This afternoon crews continued to patrol and conduct heat suppression where needed. Containment increased from 80% around noon to 90% at 7:30 pm. Texas A&M Fire Service crews and engines will be released for the night by 8:00 pm and will return in the morning for continued patrolling and mop up.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Dry and hot conditions are forecast today through the remainder of the week across the region. A Red Flag Warning is in effect today, and fires may exhibit a high resistance to control during the afternoon and early evening when relative humidity values are at their minimum and temperature and wind speeds are at the maximum.

Evacuations: None

Damages/Injuries:  Three structures lost and one damaged outbuilding.

Closures: State Highway 71, westbound lane is now open. Please use caution when traveling along this roadway as fire crews are still working along this road to suppress the Powder Keg Pine Fire.