Fredericksburg, Texas – The Fredericksburg Fire/EMS Department in conjunction with crews from across the region, state and nation are continuing to work the Crabapple Fire.
As of the last update from the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire remains at 85 percent contained. The affected area has been updated due to better mapping to an estimated 9,858 acres. The current affected area stretches from Lower Crabapple Road to Farm-to-Market Road 1631.
“Overnight, our crews continued to put out flare ups as that arose,” Fredericksburg Fire Chief Lynn Bizzell said. “They faced fewer areas of concern than previous nights. Today, we will again battle windy conditions. We ask that everyone continues to be overly cautious with anything that could start a fire.”
Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions exist throughout the area with southeast winds 10-20 mph, gusts up to 30 mph and low humidity values 15 to 20 percent. Windy conditions are forecasted to be even more elevated on Wednesday.
Currently, food, water and other supply donations for firefighters are not needed. To help with recovery efforts from the Crabapple Fire, Gillespie County has partnered with the OneStar Foundation, Rebuild Texas to establish the Crabapple Disaster Fund. At this time, this is the best way to help. This is the only approved online donation portal. Donations can be made here: https://onestarfoundation.org/crabapple-fire-relief-fund/.
The recent Crabapple Fire has impacted local ranchers and livestock owners in Gillespie County. To aid recovery, a livestock supply point at Gillespie County Fairgrounds (530 Fair Dr, Fredericksburg, TX) is collecting hay, feed, and fencing supplies for affected cattle, sheep, and goats. Open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., donations can also be facilitated by Behrends Feed & Fertilizer, Lochte Feed and General Store, Kerrville Ranch & Pet Center, Tractor Supply in Fredericksburg and Allied Ag Services Inc. a request for fencing materials. For barbed wire, the request is for 14-gauge non-red tip wire. Additionally, they are available for landowners to begin picking up donations from the fairgrounds. For questions, please call at (830) 988-6173.
FIRE INFORMATION
The fire started around 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, near 8700 Lower Crabapple Road, which is nearly 11 miles north of downtown Fredericksburg and moved east across Highway 16 North due to high winds and prime conditions for wildfires in the area.
Late on Sunday, one Fredericksburg firefighter was injured, while working the fire. A tree limb fell and caused injury. The firefighter was taken to the hospital and treated and has since been released.
As of 7:30 a.m. on Monday, March 17, all roads have reopened to any necessary travel.
As crews continue to work, everyone is asked to avoid the area unless it is necessary. People traveling through the area should listen to crews on the ground about access.
As of 4 p.m. on Monday, the Red Cross shelter in Fredericksburg at Zion Lutheran Church at 426 W. Main St. has closed. They served seven people and are keeping the ability to reopen if necessary.
On Monday at 8:45 p.m., damage assessments from the Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Division of Emergency Management were released…
- 9 total residences destroyed
- 7 possibly occupied & 2 confirmed unoccupied
- 2 residences damaged
- 20 outbuildings destroyed
- 4 outbuildings damaged
On Monday night, officials gave the go ahead for people that had evacuated to return as conditions allow.
The Fredericksburg Fire/EMS Facebook page will be updated as information becomes available.
To learn more about the City of Fredericksburg Fire/EMS, go to FBGTX.org or contact City Hall at (830) 997-7521.
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