October 14, 2015: Firefighters work with heavy machinery to contain the fire near Smithville, Texas. The Forest Service had estimated 50 per cent containment earlier in the day.
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“As severe wildfires continue to impact Bastrop County, I strongly urge Texans in that area to take all possible precautions to ensure their safety”, Abbott said.
A central Texas wildfire has grown to more than 1,500 acres as voluntary evacuations continue, with no reports of anyone hurt.
The Texas A&M Forest Service says the fire near Smithville was 15 percent contained early Thursday.
Officials said that although the winds Thursday raised potential for the fire to spread, the gusts were heading in the opposite direction of the county’s most populated areas. Thirty-four “home structures” – a category that includes homes and structures that look like homes – plus additional sheds and garages have been destroyed by the Hidden Pines Fire so far, officials reported Thursday afternoon at an information session held at the Smithville Rec Center. A state of emergency declaration would have meant a long-term disaster and required long-term resources. He says one person he spoke to Wednesday said that the 2011 fire at least helped him understand what was important, what could be replaced, and how to move on. He said resources they’ve invested in have saved the community a lot of heartache and money in keeping fires from spreading.
The fire was being fueled partly by hot, dry weather. But there’s still no rain in the forecast for the county.
Bastrop County Judge Paul Pepe said the number of homes burned could grow in the next few days.
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Arriving briskly, flanked by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Gov. Greg Abbott was joined by state and county officials Thursday morning to declare a state of disaster for Bastrop County. Officials said about 50 people stayed in shelters overnight Wednesday, with many others retreating to hotels or the homes of friends.
