Single Publication

Powder Keg Pine Fire Update

Wednesday, August 4, 2023

10:30 am

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.

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been lifted from over the Powder Keg Pine Fire.

Yesterday:

Texas A&M Fire Service arrived on scene at approximately 9:30am. The Powder Keg Pine Fire received beneficial humidity recovery overnight with no additional growth. The fire remained within the constructed containment lines, however there was still a lot of interior heat that engine crews worked on suppressing. Crews patrolled the completed containment line, spraying water to mitigate heat and smoldering stumps (mop up). Residents and commuters in the area should still expect to see smoke for the next few days.

During the 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.

Today:

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Powder Keg Pine Fire was released at 9:00 am this morning.

Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Commander N. Decker took over control of the fire this morning. Engines and crews continue working with local resources to patrol the containment area and provide suppression where needed.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Expect little day to day changes, besides a slight increase in temperatures, going into the weekend. Dry and hot conditions
continue today with a Red Flag Warning in effect this afternoon and evening at the fire site. While minimum humidity values will
be in the upper 20s this afternoon, good overnight recoveries will still be seen. Slightly warmer temperatures and slightly
lower humidity will be seen Saturday afternoon. Given the similar conditions to today, another Red Flag Warning is possible for
tomorrow.

Evacuations: None

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

Closures: None