Bastrop wildfire may burn until Friday

AUSTIN (KXAN/AP) - Despite some reports, the Bastrop wildfire is not completely out. Texas Forest Service officials said the blaze's reach has destroyed 28 homes, 17 businesses and more than 1,500 acres of land. Still, only 85 percent of the fire is contained, and people are not out of danger's way just yet. More than 100 fire crews have been working since Saturday to get the fire under control.

Fire officials said they are still very concerned about hot spots that threaten to flare up and continue scorching land, with the ongoing safety threat of the possibility of fire hiding in the base of trees and brush.

Several roads are still closed because of the threat of hot spot flare-ups, and for the few who can finally return home, the fire-stricken land is a scary place to see. Way Station Trail opened around 8:30 a.m. Monday, and for those allowed back into that area, they were met with melted fences, scorched land and smoke rising from the ground.

"It's kind of devastating out here," said Marta Cox, while surveying and taking pictures of her neighborhood.

"It's very saddening," said Todd McClanahan with Texas Parks and Wildlife. "It's hard to see folks and the homes they've built with their own hands."

Firefighters were in her neighborhood dousing hot spots, making sure little smoldering areas do not have time to flare up and destroy more homes and businesses.

"Two priorities: There are maintain the structures that we’ve saved, so we don’t get reburned and also work on the structures that have burned, anything that may come out of there and pose a problem," said Rich Gray, with the Texas Forest Service.

Meanwhile, those with homes to go return to will be busy.

"Our neighbors have lost their homes, and some of them will probably have a hard time trying to get back on their feet," said Cox.

The Texas Forest Service has brought in fire crews from other states to help contain this fire, but it warns of the high winds and low humidity becoming the biggest challenges over the next few days. Twenty forest firefighters from North Carolina will be in Bastrop by Wednesday to help with the fight. It said it hopes to have this all out by the end of the week. Officials said if weather conditions continue with winds and humidity, the fire could burn until Friday. The county has just been approved for a FEMA grant, and now they are working out all the details.

Closed roads in Bastrop
Roads located off State Highway 71

• Fisher of Men
• Cottletown Road
• O'Grady Road
• Spring Hollow Trail
• Felix Drive
• Alum Creek way

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Alum Creek Center used to have 22 bussling businesses. Now, there are just three buildings still standing and noen of the shops were insured. The owners said it is too early to tell if they will rebuild the shops.

"I was at work all day when I got here at two it was already engulfed," said Linda Hall. Unlike most of her neighbors Hall had no time to save anything. Now the home she raised her children in and everything inside it has been reduced to ashes.

"I had some really beautiful things but they are all gone," said Hall.

It was not just homes that were hurt. Dottie Taylor's sheep was injured in the fire.

"One sheep I know is badly burned they might have to put her to sleep," said Taylor.

A downed powerline ignited the destructive blaze that quickly spread Saturday afternoon. Winds carried the fire along State Highway 71, and its span was so extensive Gov. Rick Perry activated state resources Sunday to combat the blaze, including four Texas Military Forces Blackhawk helicopters. A statement from the governor's office Sunday said the helicopters can aid in the wildfire fight because they are equipped to drop water and fire retardant, Texas Forest Service fire fighters and equipment.

Officials evacuated residents and shut down the highway leading into the area Saturday. Texas Forest Service spokesman Lewis Kearney said some residents were escorted back to their homes Sunday afternoon to identify their property. In all, 13 residents spent Saturday night in a Red Cross shelter.

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