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 is now 85 percent contained. The affected area has not changed - estimated at 9,737 acres. The current affected area stretches from Lower Crabapple to Farm-to-Market Road 1631.
“Crews rose to the challenge of today and kept any flare ups under control,” Fredericksburg Fire Chief Lynn Bizzell said. “We are encouraged by the level of containment, but with the weather conditions things can change quickly.”
Damage assessments from the Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Division of Emergency Management are as follows…
- 9 total residences destroyed
- 7 possibly occupied & 2 confirmed unoccupied
- 2 residences damaged
- 20 outbuildings destroyed
- 4 outbuildings damaged
“These damage assessment numbers, unfortunately confirm what our crews were seeing on the ground,” Bizzell added. “You hate to lose any structure, and our thoughts are with those that lost property. Structures were our priority from the start of the fire and without the efforts of our crews the numbers could have been much higher, but unfortunately, we could not save everything.”
People that have evacuated may return as conditions allow.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect from until 10 p.m. on Monday with south winds expected 10-20 mph, gusts up to 35 mph and low humidity between 10-20 percent. Windy conditions are forecasted to continue through Wednesday.
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 and Allied Ag Services Inc. For questions, please call at (830) 988-6173.
Currently, food, water and other supply donations 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/.
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, 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.
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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