Latest news with #CrabappleFire
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Crabapple Fire: How you can help residents who lost homes
The Brief The Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County is now out. Nine homes were destroyed in the fire. The Woods family is looking to rebuild their home. The fast-moving Crabapple Fire that burned nearly 10,000 acres near Fredericksburg is finally out. Investigators are continuing to look into what sparked the fire as residents are seeing the damage the blaze left behind. What they're saying Isabella Woods' first home with her husband was destroyed in the Crabapple Fire. The two were in their upstairs apartment above the garage when the fire tore across their property. Charles Woods, Isabella's father, was working on remodeling the home next door. The house had been in their family for generations. "There was just a wall of fire and it just kept getting bigger and bigger. I literally tried to fight it off as long as I could," Woods said. "I think of all the memories, I have a lot of sadness I have a lot of anger but I'm trying really hard to put that in a better energy, try to move forward, clean up and rebuild." Help has poured in since last weekend, including more than $6,500 in donations to the family's GoFundMe from people looking to help. "It's hard to look for the good, but you know what, things like this happen and there's a lot of good things that come out of this. A lot of good people that come around and there's still good people out there and we're getting a lot of support, a lot of help," said Charles Woods. The Woods say it will take a while to rebuild, but they plan to do it for the next generation. "I feel very hopeful. I've got my husband. I've got my dogs and cats and I'm glad to be able to have the opportunity where we can start over and hopefully get somewhere again," said Isabella Woods. What you can do Gillespie County partnered with the OneStar Foundation and Rebuild Texas to create the Crabapple Fire Relief Fund. Fox 7 Austin also received another GoFundMe for a nearby family's workshop that was lost to the fire The backstory The fire began as a grass fire around 1 p.m. on March 15, just 11 miles north of Fredericksburg between Lower Crabapple Road and Landrum Creek. Smoke from the fire could be seen in Austin. Damage assessments from the Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Division of Emergency Management are listed below: Nine homes were destroyed – seven were possibly occupied and two were not occupied. Two homes damaged 20 outbuildings destroyed Four outbuildings damaged Before it was put out, the fire burned 9,858 acres. The Source Information in this article comes from FOX 7 interviews with the Woods family, the Texas A&M Forest Service and Fredericksburg Fire EMS.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crabapple Fire now 100% contained, officials say
The Brief The Crabapple Fire is now 100% contained. The fire started on March 15 and burned 9,858 acres, destroying buildings. The cause of the fire is under investigation. FREDERICKSBURG, Texas - The Crabapple Fire that burned nearly 10,000 acres in Gillespie County is now 100% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service and Fredericksburg Fire EMS. What we know The Texas A&M Forest Service gave its final update on the Crabapple Fire on Saturday morning, one week after high winds caused flames to quickly spread near Fredericksburg. The fire began as a grass fire around 1 p.m. on March 15, just 11 miles north of Fredericksburg between Lower Crabapple Road and Landrum Creek. Smoke from the fire could be seen in Austin. One firefighter was injured while battling the flames and had to be taken to a local hospital. The firefighter has since been released. In all, the fire burned 9,858 acres. Damage assessments from the Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Division of Emergency Management are listed below: Nine homes were destroyed – seven were possibly occupied and two were not occupied. Two homes damaged 20 outbuildings destroyed Four outbuildings damaged All state resources helping to put out the flames have been released. What we don't know The cause of the fire is still under investigation. What they're saying "The coordinated efforts of our crews, regional partners, state agencies and federal resources led us to this point," Fredericksburg Fire Chief Lynn Bizzell said in a statement. "Although this fire may be contained, our hearts continue to go out to the people that lost homes, property and livestock. Our area is still in extreme drought conditions, so we ask everyone to please be vigilant of anything that may start another fire." The Source Information in this article comes from the Texas A&M Forest Service and Fredericksburg Fire EMS.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Duderstadt fire in Gillespie County, south of Harper, burns 50 acres; prompts evacuations
The Brief Another fire in Gillespie County has prompted evacuations. Residents are being evacuated in the area of Duderstadt Road, which is south of Harper and west of Fredericksburg. As of 8:29 p.m. on March 17, the fire was 20 percent contained GILLESPIE COUNTY, Texas - Evacuations are underway due to a fire in Gillespie County south of Harper. As of 8:29 p.m. on March 17, the fire had burned 50 acres and is 20 percent contained. What we know The county's 911 communications center says a fire is burning off I-10 going north in the area of Duderstadt Road. This is south of Harper and west of Fredericksburg. Evacuations are taking place now for Duderstadt Road. What's next Anyone north of I-10 or Duderstadt Road should prepare to evacuate. Those in the area of Thrill Hill may need to evacuate also, says the county's 911 center. Big picture view This is the second fire in Gillespie County in the last couple of days. The Crabapple Fire has burned nearly 10,000 acres east of Fredericksburg. At last update, the fire is over halfway contained. Multiple structures have been lost, according to officials. One firefighter was injured after a tree limb fell on the first responder. The firefighter was taken to a local hospital and has been released. Dig deeper A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday with south winds expected 15-25 mph, gusts up to 35 mph and low humidity between 10-20 percent, and as low as 9 percent. The National Weather Service says that gusty south winds and dry air are resulting in critical fire weather conditions along and west of the I-35 and I-37 corridors. Texans are urged to avoid outdoor burning, keep vehicles off dry grass and properly discard cigarettes. Gillespie County has also issued a disaster declaration and an order restricting outdoor burning. The order also says that all outdoor "hot work," such as welding or cutting with a torch, should be avoided if at all possible, and any necessary work can only be conducted when adequate water or other appropriate fire suppressant is immediately available. Violating the order is punishable as a Class C misdemeanor by a fine of up to $500 or by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail, whichever is greater. The Source Information in this report comes from the Gillespie County Communications Center 911 Emergency Dispatch.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Shelter open, donations being accepted for those affected by wildfire near Fredericksburg
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Crabapple Fire near Fredericksburg has burned more than 9,700 acres as of Monday morning. The disaster prompted evacuations for many in the area, and affected local ranchers and livestock, according to the city of Fredericksburg. Here are ways you can help support them. Firefighter injured in 9,700+ acre wildfire near Fredericksburg The fire started around 1 p.m. Saturday in the 8700 block of Crabapple Road, which is 11 miles north of Fredericksburg, according to the city. As of Monday, the fire was 9,737 acres and 65% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. According to the city, it wasn't immediately clear how many people were evacuated or displaced. In a Facebook post, The Gillespie County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension shared the livestock supply point location they created to help facilitate donations for fire relief. The supply point is located at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds off 530 Fair Drive. Donations of hay, feed, and fencing supplies for cattle, sheep, and goats are most needed, the post said. The supplies can be dropped off at the fairgrounds which will be open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The AgriLife Extension team has teamed up with local donation partners to help make the process simple, if you purchase supplies from the following locations, they will make sure your donations are sent directly to the livestock supply point. Behrends Feed & Fertilizer Lochte Feed & General Store Allied Ag Service Inc Kerrville Ranch & Pet Center Gillespie County is receiving support from OneStar Foundation's Rebuild Texas fund to establish the Crabapple Disaster Fund. Donations to this fund will provide those affected with 'emergency aid, essential supplies, long-term recovery assistance to help families rebuild their homes, restore their land, and restart their businesses,' the OneStar relief fund said. The city said this is the best way to help. Additionally friends, family, and neighbors have teamed up to help each other recover from this devastating fire. Resident Matt Durrette said in a Facebook post, 'We love this town. Fredericksburg has always been a strong community, but right now, it needs us.' Durrette and other local community members hope to raise $10,000 that would help with rebuilding homes, help farmers and ranchers recover from any loss, and provide resources to first responders and food, water, and basic supplies for all affected. Donations can be made to the community GoFundMe. The Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg remained open as a shelter and served five people at last check, the city said. On Sunday, KXAN reported at least seven people sought temporary shelter at the church. Among those in the church were a mother and four children aged 8-15 and two tourists who were on vacation from France, according to the Red Cross. 'At lunch time [Saturday] we heard about the fire and that all the roads were closed and that we couldn't go back to our cabins because it was very close to the fire,' said Marie Dominique Defondaumiere. 'And then we heard about the shelter because we had confirmation that we couldn't go back to the cabins. So, we found the shelter and we had no place to go. And we found a very, very nice welcome for the people from the Red Cross and the pastor.' Elisabeth Petrus said her heart medication was in her suitcase that she couldn't get to. She said she planned to reach out to a doctor after she and Defondaumiere evacuated. They both hoped to return to rental homes and suitcases 'not up in ashes.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crabapple Fire: Gillespie County wildfire burns nearly 10,000 acres this weekend
The Brief The Crabapple Fire has burned thousands of acres in Gillespie County in just over 32 hours. As of 9 p.m. March 16, the fire burned 9,500 acres and is 55 percent contained. There is not a mandatory evacuation in place; however, it is strongly encouraged for residents in certain areas to leave. GILLESPIE COUNTY, Texas - The Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County has burned nearly 10,000 acres since it sparked on Saturday afternoon. What we know As of 9 p.m. March 16, the fire burned 9,500 acres and is 55 percent contained. The fire sits just north of Fredericksburg, between Lower Crabapple Road and Landrum Creek and began as a grass fire around 1 p.m. March 15. The fire had swelled to 8,640 acres by Sunday morning, then had leveled off at 9,500 acres since early Sunday afternoon. Officials say the increase in acreage was not due to the fire growing, but rather more accurate mapping. Nature has not helped, with the winds tracking up to 43 miles per hour in Fredericksburg. What they're saying "Really just focused on getting those flare-ups put out and structures protected as we continue throughout today," said Sean Doerre, the public information officer for the City of Fredericksburg. "The conditions, we had talked for the last couple of months were just right for this type of thing, whether that was the wind, whether that was the dry conditions here in the Texas Hill Country, and unfortunately, you know, the worst fears came to fruition," said Doerre. Local perspective Sunday afternoon, nearby residents were out and about trying to do their part. "Oh the livestock, okay, yeah. they're moving the livestock now to get away from the fire back over there to the west," said Berry Wagner, who was helping a relative protect his home. Just a few hours earlier, he had been preparing his property for the worst. "We pretty much moved all over equipment into a field yesterday and watered down the house and yard around it and all that, and we are protected by some large field, so yeah, it's been a little nerve-wracking," said Wagner. Fire officials say several structures were destroyed. "It's the saddest thing ever, I mean, one second you got everything, and the next minute you don't have anything," said Zip Zimmerman, a nearby resident. "It was pretty traumatic because you could watch it, literally watch it come." Crews from all over the state are lending a hand to help fight the fires. "They are absolutely wonderful, man," said Zimmerman. "I mean they're from all over the place. They were up working all night long, and they're still at." Big picture view There is not a mandatory evacuation in place; however, it is strongly encouraged for residents between Highway 16 North and FM 1631 and between Ranch Road 1323 and Ranch Road 2721 to leave. The sheriff's office says residents of about ten households have actually evacuated. A shelter has been set up at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg. What's next As of 6:30 p.m., the Texas A&M Forest Service says aircraft and ground crews have made good progress and that a containment line has been established around the majority of the fire. Crews are working to finish wrapping the perimeter. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced in a release Sunday that FEMA has approved the state's request for federal funding related to the Crabapple fire and the Rest Area fire in the Panhandle. FEMA will be reimbursing 75% of the state's costs associated with fighting the two wildfires. Abbott has also directed state emergency response resources to help support local efforts. What you can do Fredericksburg Fire said Sunday morning that food, water and other supply donations are not currently needed. Officials at the scene added that they are thankful for what they have received. Instead, those wanting to help are asked to donate to the Crabapple Fire Relief Fund, which will help provide "emergency aid, essential supplies, and long-term recovery assistance to help families rebuild their homes, restore their land, and restart their businesses," according to the fund's website. Big picture view The Crabapple Fire is currently the second-biggest active wildfire in Texas as of Sunday evening, says the Texas A&M Forest Service. The Wildmill Fire in Roberts County in the Panhandle is currently the biggest, with 23,147 acres burned and 95% containment. The Rest Area Fire in Gray County, east of Amarillo, was the third-biggest with 7,931 acres, but, as of around 7 p.m. March 16, has been fully contained. The Source Information in this report comes from the Texas A&M Forest Service, the city of Fredericksburg and reporting and interviews by FOX 7 Austin's Lauren Rangel.
