Recovery: A year since the Bastrop fire

It's been a year since one of the most devastating wildfires in Texas history swept through the City of Bastrop. Now this community is coming together again to remember and celebrate their resilience.

On this Labor Day weekend, hundreds gathered for a prayer service at the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Performing Arts Center in Bastrop. Those who gathered remembered the hundreds who lost their homes and possessions as the uncontrolled fire swept through the city a year ago.

Bastrop also is celebrating its recovery efforts that have helped so many people get back on their feet and into their new homes. The work continues as the community tries to move forward.

"We have learned the courage of the citizens of Bastrop County and the commitment of local government leaders and officials to get our community put back together," said Mike Fisher, Bastrop County emergency management coordinator. " It was certainly the worst wildfire in the history of this state and it means a lot to us in Bastrop County to showcase to the state and to the world how resilient we are."

The Bastrop County fire jumped the freeway, consuming nearly 36,000 acres of land and destroying 1,400 homes. Circle D and Tahitian Village were heavily hit.

Earlier this morning, m ore than 1,000 runners and walkers will gather in Bastrop State Park to raise funds to help rebuild the historic state park, as well as the surrounding community. Proceeds from the race went to benefit the Friends of the Lost Pines and the Bastrop YMCA.

On Monday, there will be free lunches for the firefighters and first responders at all the major fire stations throughout the county. On Tuesday, Sept. 4, a major fund-raiser will take place at Hyatt Lost Pines. The effort, at 6:30 p.m., intends to raise enough money to build 36 homes.