A wildfire near the Hays-Blanco County line, named the Smoke Rider Fire, burned through over 1,210 acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The fire began in the early afternoon of Tuesday, August 2, moving northwest towards U.S. Highway 290. By the end of the day, its damage spanned over 800 acres. As of Monday, Aug. 8, the fire is 100% contained.
The cause of the burn is still under investigation, according to the Incident Information System.
“Hays County has deployed our Wildland Task Force to assist Blanco County,” said Fire Chief Scott Collard with the North Hays County Fire Rescue. “The fire is moving rapidly and threatening multiple properties and structures. Ranch Road 165 is closed at Farm-to-Market 2325 and at U.S. Highway 290.”
U.S. Highway 290 was also shut down at FM 3232.
“There are some people that have evacuated,” he continued. “More evacuations may be necessary. Fire units are defending structures near the county line ahead of the fire.”
A temporary evacuation center was set up at the Blanco United Methodist Church at 61 Pecan St. Dripping Springs Ranch Park housed horses displaced by the fire.
The Texas A&M Forest Service worked in conjunction with local agencies, responding with ground crews, firefighters and aircraft. These included one air attack platform, three fire bosses, three single engine airtankers, one Type Two helicopter and two Texas Military Department Blackhawks, according to the Incident Information System.
Hot and dry conditions persisted in the area throughout the burn period with high temperatures peaking near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Incident Information System.
“Breezy southerly winds will continue through the period as well, with sustained speeds near 15 mph and gusts near 25 mph,” the information system stated on its website, inciweb. nwcg.gov.
The Smoke Rider Fire is the second 200+ acre wildfire to burn in the Dripping Springs area in the last month. The Gatlin Creek Fire burned over 325 acres July 6–8.
For more information on the Smoke Rider Fire, visit public.tfswildfires. com or follow Blanco County Emergency Management on Facebook.
