Fredericksburg, Texas – The Fredericksburg Fire/EMS Department, Willow City Volunteer Fire & Rescue and the Texas A&M Forest Service’s locally assigned task force continue to monitor the area affected by the Crabapple Fire.
The Forest Service has raised the level of containment to 98 percent and the affected area has remained unchanged at an estimated 9,858 acres.
The National Weather Service has issued a warning for near critical fire weather conditions expected until 7 p.m. in the area. During this period, winds from the south are expected to reach speeds of 15 to 20 mph, with occasional gusts up to 30 mph. Relative humidity levels are between 15 and 20 percent.
Residents are urged to exercise caution and avoid activities that could potentially ignite fires. Gillespie County remains in a burn ban as drought conditions persist in the region.
Drink, snack, meals and other supplies for firefighters are not needed currently. To support recovery efforts from the Crabapple Fire, Gillespie County has partnered with the OneStar Foundation and Rebuild Texas to establish the Crabapple Fire Relief Fund. It is the only approved online donation portal. Donations can be made at onestarfoundation.org/crabapple-fire-relief-fund.
Landowners and ranchers that have been affected by the fire and those that want to help them should reach out to the local Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office at (830) 997-3452 to learn more about efforts to help the agriculture community.
Officials expect to release a full recap of the Crabapple Fire next week.
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 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 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.
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.
On Tuesday evening, the Texas A&M Forest Service and the Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office announced the origin of the Crabapple Fire was a roadside start near the 8700 block of Lower Crabapple Road. The cause is undetermined.
Late Wednesday, officials made the decision to ramp down state assets on site in Willow City, Texas.
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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