Colossal Bastrop Fire Takes 25 Homes

BASTROP - High winds and severe drought conditions are causing a forest fire in between the Bastrop State Park and Buescher State Park to spread quickly across Bastrop forests. Officials say 1,000 acres have burned, but the fire is about 50 percent contained.

Officials say 25 homes, numerous outbuildings, four vehicles and three commercial businesses had been destroyed. Highway 71 reoped late Saturday night.

The Texas Forest Service said 80 homes had been evacuated. A firefighter was injured from smoke inhalation. Witnesses say a home in the Alum Creek Center, The Wildfire Cafe and a nearby church burned to the ground.

Bastrop Country Judge Ronnie McDonald issued a declaration of disaster, which allows the county to receive federal aid dollars and resources to fight the fire. On February 17 McDonald issued a state of emergency for the county due to the severe drought conditions.

The Texas Forest Service said two air tankers, one helicopter and dozens of tractors were fighting the blaze.

Christina Rochen said she lives about three miles from the fire.

"The smoke crossing the road was insane. Passing through it, we went from a nice sunny day in Texas, to what looked and felt like a war zone at 6 p.m. It was DARK!," she said via e-mail. 

Rochen said she tried to get a closer look, but couldn't drive much closer than about 100 yards.

"It was heavy brush so you couldn't see the flames through the trees. You could however see the flames in the smoke rising about 200 feet off the ground. My truck almost died twice because of the amount of smoke," she said.
 

Photo credits: Megan Rochen