Fire danger worries ACL neighbors

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Every year during Austin City Limits Music Festival, the streets of John Luther’s neighborhood turn into a parking lot

“Thousands, upon thousands of cars,” Luther said.

In years past, Luther and other neighbors patrol the streets making sure everyone is following the rules, -- mainly the parking rules.

But this year, they're not so much worried about where people park, they’re more worried about people walking to the festival via the Barton Creek Greenbelt .

“The fire danger is extreme,” Luther said. “The greenbelt is rugged. It would difficult to get fire equipment in there, if not impossible.”

The Barton Hills Neighborhoods Association and ACL organizers are putting up signs all over the Barton Hills neighborhood reminding people about the fire danger.

“There are dozens upon dozens of homes that back directly onto the greenbelt,” Luther said.

Thursday morning city officials held a press conference outside of the festival to warn people about fire danger.

“This is about the most dangerous place in Austin where a fire could start and it could really cause a lot of damage,” said Austin police Lt. Todd Smith.

Because of the concern, APD and the Austin Parks Department will be adding more employees to the greenbelt during ACL.

“Yes we are concerned. Yes we are prepared. We’re staffing up additional brush trucks,” said Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr.

And to make sure those brush trucks aren’t needed, Luther and other neighbors will be working overtime looking out for that one spark that could spell disaster.

“We’re not here to dampen their fun but to ensure they come home safely and that our neighborhood remains safe,” Luther said.

The city will be out issuing tickets to anyone who parks illegally in the neighborhoods surrounding Zilker Park.

Parking on MoPac’s frontage roads is off limits this year because the fire danger.

Click here to learn about more parking options and transportation options to and from this year’s festival.

ACL Music Festival start on Friday and runs through Sunday.