The Crabapple wildfire that began last Saturday 11 miles north of downtown Fredericksburg, has burned 9,858 acres, injured one firefighter and burned 35 structures, according to a Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Division of Emergency Management report issued Monday at 8:30 p.m.
The fire, whose cause is still undetermined, began at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the 8700 block of Lower Crabapple road, about an hour and a half northwest of Wimberley. The blaze grew quickly out of control because of high winds and low humidity. It burned in an easterly direction, crossing State Highway 16 North and heading to FM1631, blowing smoke toward Dripping Springs, Austin and as far away as College Station.
At 10 p.m. Gillespie County Judge Daniel Jones issued a declaration of disaster, allowing officials to evacuate, close roads, and control access to the area. Texas Electric also cut the power to the fire-affected area and nearby customers.
Just prior to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Fredericksburg Fire Chief Lynn Bizzell wrote, “Crews worked throughout the night battling active fires and flare ups, and have held the progress of the fire at FM 1631. This morning, TDEM and Texas A&M Forest Service aircraft are supporting efforts on the ground as we continue to work on containment and protect structures.” Officials at that time did not have an estimation of the number of people evacuated or displaced.
On Sunday evening, the Fredericksburg Fire and Emergency Medical Services posted a report saying the blaze was being battled by crews from across the region, state and nation. The city said that a firefighter was injured while working after a tree limb fell. The firefighter was taken to the hospital to be treated and was released.
By 7:30 a.m. Monday, closed roads were reopened and a few minutes past 10 a.m. the Texas A&M Forest Service reported that the fire was 65% contained.
The city said that a Red Flag warning was in effect from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. because of 10 to 20 mph winds from the south with gusts up to 35 mph. Austin’s KXAN First Warning Weather said that the wildfire risk for Monday was Very High to Extreme and will affect the counties in the Hill Country.
By 8:30 p.m. Monday night, crews had 85% of the wildfire contained.
Damage assessments from the Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Division of Emergency Management stated that 11 homes and 24 outbuildings were damaged or destroyed.
