TEXAS 2008 FIRE SEASON Central Branch Significant Wildfire Report TEXAS 2008 WILDFIRE SEASON Central Branch Significant Wildfire Report

Prepared by the Wildland Urban Interface Division Karen Ridenour—GIS Specialist II Landon Temple - Student Intern Jennifer Korn - Student Intern

The purpose of this publication is to examine wildfires in the Central Branch that state and local resources responded to during the 2008 Wildfire Season. The Central Branch is a 39-county region located primarily in the Hill Country and Central Plains, as designated by the Texas Forest Service. Resources reported responding to 98 grass and 86 brush fires in the branch. There was a reported 24,996 acres of land lost. In comparison, only 2,477 acres of land were lost to 25 forest fires in the branch. This publication should provide federal, state and cooperative agencies, along with private industry in the wildland urban interface of the Central Branch, data necessary to make assessment and mitigation strategies within their communities. These assessments and strategies should be based on risk from wildfires in grass and brush fuel types. A brief overview of the 2008 Wildfire Season preludes the examination of significant wildfires that occurred in the Central Branch during the wildfire season.

Appreciation goes out to the following individuals for their contributions in the preparation of this document:

Jan Amen—Wildland Urban Interface Specialist Mike Dunivan—Fire Analyst I Jan Fulkerson—Wildland Urban Interface Specialist Rich Gray—Wildland Urban Interface Coordinator Arlene Kalmbach—Texas Parks and Wildlife

March 1, 2009 Texas Forest Service (TFS) and volunteer fire departments across Texas responded to an extremely active wildfire season that resulted in the loss of millions of acres of both agriculture and forested lands and property losses exceeding, 1,100 homes throughout the state. The 2008 Wildfire Season began on Jan. 1, with 29 fires reported by TFS. The season, which ended Aug. 21, lasted 234 days and required federal, state and local resources to be mobilized statewide. One day into the season, the State Operations Center issued a critical situation report indicating TFS had already responded to 49 wildfires for 4,929 acres and volunteer fire departments across the state had responded to 212 wildfires for 2,268 acres over the last 7 days. During the seven days leading up to Jan. 1, no rainfall had been reported across Texas. Over the next few days, relative humidity levels were projected to be in the high teen to 20 percent range for most of the state. The 2008 Wildfire Season began with fuel moistures projected to remain dry to critically dry in portions of Central and South Central Texas. The 2008 Wildfire Season would begin with 129 counties under burn ban and four local disaster proclamations in effect as of Jan. 3, 2008 (Figure1).

Figure 1 - Burn bans at start of 2008 wildfire season

The extremely active wildfire season resulted in fires that exceeded available resources. Of the acres burned nationally, thirty-seven percent were in Texas. In Texas, 1,558,008 acres of land burned compared to the 4,065,931 that burned across the country. In the Southern Region, which includes 13 states from Texas to Virginia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 1,815,132 acres were lost with land in Texas making up 81 percent of those acres. In the last two years, 85 percent of wildfires have occurred within two miles of a community.

Texas is currently the eighth-fastest growing state in the United States with most of the movement resulting from people moving from rural to urban areas (US Census Bureau). This movement is leading to Wildland Urban Interface, or WUI. WUI occurs when urban development — subdivisions, malls and other businesses — meet natural areas such as surrounding forests and fields.TFS is trying to educate homeowners who live in these interface areas and prepare them for the risks of living there. On March 14, 2008, President George W. Bush approved an Emergency Declaration (EM-3284) for 184 counties in Texas due to wildfire threat. On March 24, 2008, thirty-two additional counties were approved for the same assistance, and 13 more were approved on March 27, 2008. The total number of counties approved for this declaration was 229. The 2008 wildfire season resulted in a loss of 451 structures reported by local fire departments and a loss of 274 structures as reported by TFS. State of Texas Central Branch Map The TFS Central Branch, which is made up of 39 counties, responded to 125 wildfires. Local response only Texas is divided into seven requiring no state assistance were called to 1,487 wildfires. branches with the Central Branch Resulting in a total of 1,613 wildfires for the Central Branch. representing 39 of the state’s 254 counties (Figure 2). From January to December, there were 151 wildfires reported in 27 of the 39 Central Branch counties (Table 1) resulting in 29,675 acres of land lost to wildfires.

Based on WUI standards, wildfires were placed into four categories based on the number of homes threatened and the number of acres consumed. The four categories are Interface (2-14 homes threatened), Significant Interface (15-24 homes threatened), Major Interface (more than 25 homes threatened and Acres (more than 100 acres and less than 2 homes threatened).

According to fire reports, 123 grass wildfires burned 18,382 acres, 86 brush wildfires burned 7,216 acres and 26 forest wildfires burned 2,447 acres. Homeowners, fire department officials and civic leaders need to be educated about the hazards Figure 2 – Central Branch map associated wildfires within the Central Branch. Grass and brush County Fires County Fires fires outnumber forest wildfires Austin 1 Kendall 4 seven to one. Understanding the Bastrop 28 Kerr 6 behavior of grassy fuels and heavy Blanco 13 Kimble 4 brush in regards to mitigation Burleson 1 Lee 9 practices and training practices Burnet 7 Llano 6 may help reduce the number of Caldwell 7 Mason 7 homes lost within this region. Colorado 1 McCulloch 2 Comal 1 Menard 2 Fayette 6 Milam 1 Gillespie 12 San Saba 1 Gonzales 2 Travis 3 Guadalupe 1 Williamson 11 Hays 9 Wilson 2 Karnes 1 Table 1 – Interface, Significant, Major or Acres wildfires by county in the Central Branch in 2008 Due to its size and geographic Major Eco-regions of Texas location, Texas is distinctive compared to surrounding states. Central Branch Texas has impressive topographic diversity, climate variations and habitat diversity. Central Branch, in particular, covers six of the 12 major eco-regions found in Texas (Figure 3). The diversity and vegetation variation in this eco-region significantly influences fire behavior. It is important to understand the vegetation types found across these eco-regions to see the direct correlation between fuel loading, wildfire intensity and potential risks throughout the Central Branch. As the environment continues to change from development and land use practices, increased fuel loading will produce wildfires that are harder to control. This increases the threat to firefighting resources as well as the property on which these wildfires burn.

The Edwards Plateau historically was savannah grassland with scattered oak species (Quercus sp.), ashe juniper (Juniperus asheii) and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa). With fire suppression and grazing, ashe juniper and mesquite have increased wildfire danger Figure 3 – Major eco-regions of the Central Branch throughout the region. Terrain of the Edwards Plateau can be very rugged, rocky, steep and inaccessible. Another ecosystem, the Central Great Plains, offers large varieties of grass species that contribute to cured fuel loads. Drought conditions in the region (high winds and low RH) escalate fast moving wildfires in open prairies.The Lost Pines, an outlier of the relict loblolly pine-post oak upland forest, are located within the East Central Texas Plains. Heavy fuel loads from accumulated needle cast and needle drape, along with increased loads of mesquite, yaupon and cedar, increase the chances of wildfire moving into the pines.This movement increases the possibility of single and group torching along with short crown runs. The Western Gulf Coastal Plain provides a distinct break from fine, flashy fuels to larger bunch grasses. Although higher weather thresholds of RH and wind speeds are required in this region, extreme wildfire behavior still can be seen when the criteria is met.The Texas Blackland Prairies and Cross Timbers regions provide unique combinations of prairie grasses and mosaics of oak and elm species that were once believed to be a thick impenetrable forest. Currently, the Blackland Prairies and Cross Timbers are being converted to cropland, non-native pasture and expanding urban areas that spread well into surrounding rural areas. All of this increases wildland urban interface issues in these eco-regions. There are two distinct wildfire seasons in the Central Brach – winter and summer. The winter wildfire season runs from mid-December through March (or when greening occurs). It can be characterized by dormant vegetation as well as periodic passage of cold fronts, which bring low humidity and high winds.

Live fuel moistures in the conifers tend to be at their lowest in February and March adding to active wildfire behavior during this wildfire season. The summer, or green, wildfire season typically extends from the beginning of July and runs through September. It is characterized by the presence of drought conditions, high temperatures and drought-stressed vegetation. Wildfires that occur in summer typically are fuel driven in nature.

The severity of the wildfire season generally depends on the amount of available fuel in a particular region or across the state. Tracking dryness in key fuel types allows officials to identify high risk or high wildfire potential areas. Prairie type ecosystems typically have one-hour dead fuel moisture and woodland and forest ecosystems typically have 100 and 1000-hour dead fuel moisture. Energy Release Component (ERC) is a calculated value related to the available energy per unit area within the flaming from of a heat fire, it reflects the contribution of all live and dead fuels to potential wildfire intensity (Figure 4) and foliar live fuel moistures of significant species provides indicators of existing fuel in the wildland landscape. Throughout the wildfire season, foliar live fuel moistures in southern pine, juniper, live oak, yaupon and grass are measured. The data collected is used to gauge how easily a surface wildfire is likely to transition into the crowns.

Figure 4 - ERC ranges for Central Texas from 2001-2008

In live foliage, the moisture is influenced primarily by the physiological activity for the shrub type.There usually is a distinctive pattern from year to year. During the spring, foliar moisture levels can rise well over 200 percent. As the season progresses into the dry summer period, the foliar moisture begins to fall, reaching minimum levels, which are below 90 percent. Less moisture in some Texas vegetation results in the plant requiring less heat to ignite and burn faster, which can lead to movement of wildfire into the canopy fuels. In the Central Branch, woody vegetation that often falls into the 90 percent thresholds of critically dry live fuels and are at risk for allowing movement into the canopies are: juniper at 80 percent, pine at 100 percent, yaupon at 110 percent and oak at 80 percent. The 2008 Wildfire Season started in January with juniper at 100 percent, pine at 120 percent, yaupon at 100 percent and oak at 86 percent. Dead fuel moisture is the moisture content of dead organic fuels, expressed as a percentage of the oven dry weight or the sample that is controlled entirely by exposure to environmental conditions. The 100-hour fuel moisture value represents the modeled moisture content of dead fuels in the 1 to 3 inch diameter class. It can also be used as a rough estimate of the average moisture content of the forest floor from three-fourths inch to 4 inches below the surface. Most of the counties in the Central Branch started the 2008 Wildfire Season with 100- hour dead fuels and ERC percentiles showing dry to critically dry values (Figure 5).

Figure 5 - Fuel dryness map in January 2008

Red flag criteria for the state are dependent on both local weather forecasts and fuel moisture for the area.The criterion varies across the state due to vegetation, topography and distance from the Gulf of Mexico. Red flag criteria for Central Branch include:

• Twenty-foot wind speeds of 15 mph or greater, combined with either daytime minimum RH below 25 percent or nighttime maximum RH below 60 percent.

• Presence of dry lightening with six to 10 cloud-to-ground strikes in a five-minute time period (LAL = 6) with no rain reaching the surface.

• Expected wind shifts and/or extremely low humidity.

• Presence of ongoing wildfires in the region. The first half of 2007 saw a dramatic swing away from the drought experienced in 2005 and 2006. Conditions seemed to reverse with higher-than-normal precipitation across most of the state. Wildlfires typically are a concern in late summer as heat and dry weather cause vegetation to dry, but the milder and moister conditions during summer 2007 kept vegetation green and growing. However, concerns about serious wildfire danger returned later that year as a result of heavy fuel loading from cured summer grass, the onset of La Nina conditions in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and continued long-term drought conditions (Figure 6).

Figure 6 - Long-term drought monitoring for Southern Region 2008 fire season

In January 2008, the area received less than half the normally amount, continuing the trend of dry weather that started in September 2007. In February 2008, the trend persisted with drier-than-usual and warmer-than- usual weather conditions. Several strong cold fronts also moved through the area, bringing windy days with wind gusts between 35 and 60 mph. March 2008 was an exception, as more rainfall was recorded than any month since late summer 2007. Rainfall amounts ranged from 2.86 to 3.45 inches across the Central Branch. In April 2008, the rains shifted further east and north with total rainfall far below normal in areas ranging from the Edwards Plateau north to the Central Great Plains and east to Central Texas Plains. Several fronts swept across the region in April, but the warming trends between these frontal passages made the month, overall, warmer than usual in most locations. Average high temperatures ranged from 79 to 81 degrees. May 2008 was one of the warmer months of May on record with average highs in the low 90s. Rainfall also remained below normal with average totals under 1.7. In June 2008, the drought intensified across South Central Texas. May and June, usually the wettest months of the year, were dry with only 0.01 inches of rain recorded for both months. The dry climate was enhanced by stronger than usual winds, less than usual cloud cover that increased evaporation and above normal temperatures with average highs of 99 degrees. July 2008 brought more rain to most places and moderate temperatures. Clouds and rain helped to cool off and moisten the southern portion of South Central Texas, however, the northern Hill Country and parts of Central Texas remained hot and dry. Average highs in the Central Branch remained in the high 90s to low 100s. The 2008 Wildfire Season ended in August when high- pressure gradients broke apart, allowing more rain into the area. Wildfire danger was low to moderate, because of green up of fine fuels from rainfall.Values from the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which determines wildfire potential based on a 0 to 800 point scale, ranged between 600 to 700 in most of the Central Branch counties. Rainfall provided short-term drought relief for most of the region; however, it was not widespread enough to alleviate long-term drought conditions. Average precipitation values for the southern region, as determined by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reflected less than 20 inches of rain for the eight-month period in the central region of Texas (Figure 7).

Figure 7 - Precipitation values from January-August 2008 Data from a reporting system developed by TFS was used in this report (http://tfsfrp.tamu.edu). The online wildfire reporting system is designed for fire departments and TFS response. The system has the potential to benefit fire departments, county governments, local officials and predictive services, as well as help in the prevention and coordination of state mobilizations by providing important data to TFS. Most of the wildfires in Texas go unreported at state and national levels, resulting in missed opportunities for significant federal funding. Everyone — fire departments, the state and its residents — loses when wildfires are not reported.Without complete wildfire reporting, it is difficult to accurately express wildfire issues at the state level.

Prior to the introduction of the reporting system, data for the Central Branch shows a concentration of wildfires along the I-35 corridor. This area has had increased and continued wildland urban interface growth as well as increased wildfire activity that has moved into the western portion of the Central Branch (Figure 8).The following section will examine some of the significant wildfires that occurred during the 2008Wildfire Season in the Central Branch. A complete list of all wildfires in the Central Branch can be found in the appendix.

Central Branch 2008 Wildfires - Fire Size Classes Historical 1985 - 2008 Wildfires

Wildfires reported throughout the Central Branch by the Texas Forest Service. Wildfires reported by local fire departments are not included.

Figure 8 – Central Branch historical and current wildfires BJ Mays Wildfire Bastrop County

RESOURCES Acreage: 8 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 2 6 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 7 21 0 0 Fire Size Class: B Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: None

Structures Saved: Years of fire exclusion in the area of a small rural subdivision resulted in the 8 buildup of fuels. Those fuels, along with fireworks would start a wildfire on Wednesday afternoon around 1 p.m. The fire report indicated high wildfire behavior Structures Lost: activity and flame lengths from four to eight feet in grass fuels that were three feet 0 tall in some areas. Flammable debris and woodpiles around homes contributed to the already active fire behavior. Four local volunteer fire departments along with Texas Cause: Forest Service would respond to the eight-acre urban wildland interface fire. Miscellaneous Homeowners were frantic as the wildfire approached their homes. Quick response Sub-cause: by local and state agencies diffused the frantic and tense situation. Additionally, Fireworks four fully stocked firework stands less than 100 feet from many of the homes added danger for homeowners and firefighters. Lack of firebreaks and defensible space County: around homes provided the opportunity for local fire departments to educate the Bastrop public about defensible space. Dispatched: 01/02/2008 1318 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 49° 01/03/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 29% 1800 hours Wind: ENE 8 G 17 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 61° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 7% No

Ownership: Private BJ Mays Wildfire Bastrop County

Attend to outdoor fires, whether fireworks, grills or campfires until they are completely out. Flammable plants, debris, and woodpiles should be kept as far away from the exterior walls of the home as possible. Colorado Circle Wildfire Bastrop County

RESOURCES Acreage: 196 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Significant State/Fed/Contractor: 3 1 14 2 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 1 10 7 - VFD 0 0 Fire Size Class: D Dozers: Type 4,5 Engines: Type 1, 2, 3, 6 Aviation: Air Attack, Type 3 Helicopter

Structures At 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2008, a car fire ignited the dry grass along Hwy. 71 Saved: in Bastrop, Texas. The grass fire quickly became an active wildfire near the LCRA 23 McKinney Rough Environmental Conservation Center. The rolling box canyon terrain made the area inaccessible to dozers. Hand crews were used to establish Structures Lost: control lines along the flanks and head of the fire. The complex terrain, combined 0 with cured grass and brush fuels, resulted in a wildfire that developed quickly and resisted control for multiple days. Cause: Equipment use Thick fuels, including dry-to-cured bluestem grass, along with a brush timber mix of cedar, post oak and pine contributed to the overall extreme fire behavior. Sub-cause: The wildfire had moderate range spotting in timber. There were also single and Vehicle group torching trees. All of these factors hampered wildfire containment efforts. On Monday afternoon, the fire jumped containment lines and again threatened numerous County: homes and the Conservation Center. The wildfire burned for a total of 144 hours. Bastrop Dormitories, a dining hall, classrooms, offices, resource buildings, a challenge Dispatched: course tower, outdoor exhibits and animal exhibits were some of the assets saved 06/01/2008 from the wildfire. Local fire departments assisted in structure protection. Fifteen 1604 hours subdivisions located within the urban wildland interface were positioned inside a two-mile radius and were at potential risk from the wildfire. Controlled: 06/07/2008 RAWS Wildfire Weather 1800 hours Maximum Temperature: 96° Burn Ban: Minimum Relative Humidity: 35% Yes Wind: SE 8 G 11 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 117° Ownership: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 5% State and Private Colorado Circle Wildfire Bastrop County

As the month of June began, the drought affected areas of Central and West Texas. The conditions of available stressed fuels added to significant wildland fires in urban wildland interface areas. Above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation only continued to worsen existing conditions during this wildfire event. Eilers Road Wildfire Bastrop County

RESOURCES Acreage: 44 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 0 4 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 3 6 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type unknown Aviation: None

Structures Saved: On the evening of June 7, 2008, a 44-acre fire started due to copper wire theft. 7 Stealing metal for its scrap value is not a new crime. Increased theft activities, including removal of wiring and copper pipes from homes and buildings, poses the Structures Lost: risk of sparks coming from the cutting of large wiring found in high voltage electric 0 equipment. These sparks can cause wildfires in overgrown, abandoned lots. Cause: A brush and grass mix was the fuel component for the 44-acre Eilers Road Miscellaneous Wildfire. Three fire departments and Texas Forest Service responded to the late evening wildfire. Direct attack at the head of the wildfire was possible with four to Sub-cause: eight foot flame lengths and moderate fire behavior. Changes in the land use and Copper wire theft ownership patterns over the last 50 years have increased the grass, brush and trees available as fuels for wildfires. Texas Forest Service continues to assess the changing County: needs and situations of the state’s interface areas. Bastrop

Dispatched: 06/07/2008 1718 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 91° 06/08/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 47% 1800 hours Wind: SSE 9 G 22 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 104° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 8% Yes

Ownership: Private Eilers Road Wildfire Bastrop County

Wildfire risks across Texas continue to increase due to extended drought conditions and growing urbanization. Now is the time to be more Firewise. Firewise citizens are knowledgeable about the safety of their communities, their homes, and the landscaping and the maintenance of these things. Hay Wildfire Bastrop County

RESOURCES Acreage: 30 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 2 1 13 0 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 1 9 20 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 1, 3, 6 Aviation: Air Attack

Structures Saved: Sparks from faming equipment would ignited a fast spreading grass wildfire that 6 immediately threaten two homes and several other structures. Texas Forest Service personnel responded quickly and used garden hoses to save one home while waiting Structures Lost: for additional resources to arrive. Extremely high fire behavior was seen. Flame 2 barns lengths exceeded eight feet in the dry summer cured improved pasture fuels. Over 50 round bales of hay were lost during the event. Cause: Equipment use In regards to the 2008 Wildfire Season, the Texas Department of Agriculture issued a report saying nearly one million acres of agriculture land had been lost in Texas Sub-cause: to wildfires. The Texas Department of Agriculture went on to request assistant for Farm equipment farmers and ranchers in the same report. Farmers and ranchers need to remember that during the threat of a wildfire, human life must take first priority. This could County: result in the loss of livestock, machinery or feed. Precautions should be taken long Bastrop before a wildfire threatens your property to minimize costs and losses. Dispatched: 07/21/2008 1449 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 100° 07/22/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 25% 1800 hours Wind: ESE 5 G 11 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 117° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 5% Yes

Ownership: Private Hay Wildfire Bastrop County

“Wildfires affect America’s farms and ranches – damaging and destroy- ing homes, barns, agriculture produc- tion facilities, crops and livestock. Much of this damage can be avoided, or at least minimized, if a few precau- tions are taken to minimize the risk and spread of wildfires.”

- David W. Smith, Extension Safety Program Kelly Road Wildfire Bastrop County

RESOURCES Acreage: 1 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 0 0 1 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 3 6 0 0 Fire Size Class: B Dozers: None Engines: Type 2, 6 Aviation: None

Structures Saved: Years of fire exclusion in the area of a small rural subdivision resulted in the 2 buildup of fuels. Those fuels, along with fireworks would start a wildfire on Wednesday afternoon around 1 p.m. The fire report indicated high wildfire behavior Structures Lost: activity and flame lengths from four to eight feet in grass fuels that were three feet 0 tall in some areas. Flammable debris and woodpiles around homes contributed to the already active fire behavior. Four local volunteer fire departments along with Texas Cause: Forest Service would respond to the eight-acre urban wildland interface fire. Miscellaneous Homeowners were frantic as the wildfire approached their homes. Quick response Sub-cause: by local and state agencies diffused the frantic and tense situation. Additionally, Powerlines four fully stocked firework stands less than 100 feet from many of the homes added danger for homeowners and firefighters. Lack of firebreaks and defensible space County: around homes provided the opportunity for local fire departments to educate the Bastrop public about defensible space. Dispatched: 07/19/2008 1857 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 49° 07/19/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 29% 1941 hours Wind: ENE 8 G 17 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 61° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 7% Yes

Ownership: Private Kelly Road Wildfire Bastrop County

Attend to outdoor fires, whether fireworks, grills or campfires until they are completely out. Flammable plants, debris, and woodpiles should be kept as far away from the exterior walls of the home as possible. Mays Wildfire Bastrop County

RESOURCES Acreage: 7 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 1 10 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 7 12 0 0 Fire Size Class: B Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 1, 3, 6 Aviation: None Hand crew: 5 personnel Structures Saved: The Mays Wildfire ignition was from sparks from two arching power lines coming 9 in contact with each other from high wind speeds. The fire was first reported by local volunteer fire departments to be moving at a rapid rates of spread through thick Structures Lost: motts of cedar, yaupon and mesquite. After initial attack efforts by local and state 0 agencies, the wildfire behavior moderated. The thick, heavy brush made construction of a dozer fire line difficult, so hand crew assistance was called. Once the active Cause: fire had been suppressed, the dozer crew continued to improve constructed lines Miscellaneous throughout the night. Sub-cause: High-voltage transmission lines in proximity to vegetation are often identified Transmission lines as the cause of wildfires. Wooden utility poles and transmission lines can burn like any other wooden fuel source, clearing brush and vegetation from around poles can County: reduce hazards in an urban wildland interface setting. Bastrop

Dispatched: 06/29/2008 1210 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 97° 06/30/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 33% 1200 hours Wind: SSE 9 G 22 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 111° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 5% Yes

Ownership: Private Mays Wildfire Bastrop County

When moving to a new rural- area home, conduct a thorough outdoor wildfire safety check. Look for possible fire hazards and mitigate any found before moving. Mesa Wildfire Bastrop County

RESOURCES Acreage: 6 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 0 3 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 10 27 0 0 Fire Size Class: B Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 1, 2, 6 Aviation: None

Structures Saved: At 12:30 a.m., January 1, 2008, the Mesa Wildfire was the first wildfire reported 5 for the 2008 Wildfire Season. Despite burn ban warnings, fireworks during a post- New Year celebration caused a grass wildfire. On-site reports stated observations Structures Lost: of high fire behavior, flame lengths of four to eight feet and fast moving rates of 0 spread in fine flashy fuels. Quick response by local fire departments andTexas Forest Service personnel kept the wildfire to six acres. Meadow Lake Heights is a rural Cause: subdivision located in the Southwest corner of Bastrop County with multiple mobile Miscellaneous and manufactured homes. Sub-cause: Every year fireworks contribute to the threat of wildfires and structure fires. Cured Fireworks winter grass, mild temperatures and drought conditions make the use of fireworks a deadly combination. Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association, in County: 2005 fireworks caused an estimated 1,800 total structure fires. Bastrop

Dispatched: 01/01/2008 0040 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 56° 01/01/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 21% 1800 hours Wind: N 8 G 18 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 68° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 14% Yes

Ownership: Private Mesa Wildfire Bastrop County

Enclosed decking and founda- tions on mobile and manufactured homes can reduce the spread of wildfire under structures. Fine wire mesh over attic vents will reduce the movement of fine grass embers into attics which could result in attic fires. Red Bone Wildfire Bastrop County

RESOURCES Acreage: 2 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Mitigation State/Fed/Contractor: 0 1 16 1 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 0 0 0 0 Fire Size Class: B Dozers: None Engines: Type 6 Aviation: Helicopter HT701 Hand crews: 1 TFS, 1 FCI, 1 TPWD Structures Saved: The Red Bone Wildfire occurred in Bastrop State Park, home to the endangered 0 Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis). The origin of the fire was traced back to a lighting strike within the park. Due to the critical habitat, only hand crews and Structures Lost: aviation resources were utilized on the wildfire. In the past, extreme needle drape, 0 heavy fuel loads, and encroachment by yaupon and cedar have placed the park in danger for catastrophic wildfires. Luckily, flame lengths did not exceed four feet Cause: and moderate fire behavior allowed for a direct attach on the head and flanks of the Lightning wildfire.

Sub-cause: Due to mitigation work within the park over the last several years, the wildfire was Lightning held to only a few acres. This greatly reduced any threat to homes in the surrounding area and the loss of habitat. County: Bastrop Recent trend analyst suggests that Houston Toads are declining in Bastrop State Park, which lies near the center of its critical habitat in Bastrop County. Prescribed Dispatched: burning is an important management tool for maintaining the open woodland 07/12/2008 savannah preferred by the Houston Toad (Texas Parks and Wildlife). 1633 hours

Controlled: RAWS Wildfire Weather 07/13/2008 1800 hours Maximum Temperature: 95° Minimum Relative Humidity: 37% Burn Ban: Wind: SSW 8 G 18 Yes Maximum Fuel Temperature: 114° Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% Ownership: State Red Bone Wildfire Bastrop County

Habitat loss due to wildfire is not just measured by the num- ber of acres lost, but also by the destruction in the arrangement and composition of the habitat. Dozers, engines and even hand crews have profound impacts on the habitat. Mitigation and control burning help prevent the loss of delicate habitat. Texas Oak Wildfire Bastrop County

RESOURCES Acreage: 11 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 2 0 3 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 6 12 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 4, 5 Engines: Type 2, 6 Aviation: None

Structures Saved: Every year wildland firefighters and local fire departments respond to thousands 14 of wildfires. Careless debris burning causes many of these wildfires.The Texas Oak Wildfire was another wildfire added to the statistics due to unsupervised brush Structures Lost: pile burning. The 11-acre wildfire, located within the urban interface, threatened 0 14 homes and multiple outbuildings. The wildfire also threatened state forest and grassland habitat. Cause: Debris burning Fire behavior reports stated that 11-foot or greater flame lengths were observed in brush fuels with individual and group tree torching. Sub-cause: Brush burning Weather fluctuations, such as a sudden gust of wind, can turn a simple spark from debris burning into a wildfire. A safe debris burn site has a vertical clearance of at County: least three times of height of the pile because heat from the fire extends far past the Bastrop actual flames that are seen. Dispatched: 05/20/2008 1402 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 94° 05/20/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 19% 1800 hours Wind: SSW 9 G 19 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 113° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 5% No

Ownership: Private Texas Oak Wildfire Bastrop County

In 1984, the U.S. Postal Service issued a Smokey Bear Commemorative Stamp. Even with Smokey Bear teaching people about wildfire prevention, we still have a lot of work to do. Each new generation must be reminded of their role in wildfire prevention. Watts Lane Wildfire Bastrop County

RESOURCES Acreage: 25 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 2 2 7 1 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 9 19 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 1, 3, 6 Aviation: Helicopter, Air Attack

Structures Saved: 10 The Watts Lane Wildfire started on the roadside from an unknown cause. Local departments arrived on scene to find very active fire behavior with major fire runs Structures Lost: through brush fuels. Shifting and gusting winds aided in creating flame lengths of 0 11 feet and greater in dried fuels. Multiple structures were threatened as the wildfire flared up while moving across a brushy fence line after a wind shift. Direct attack Cause: with dozers and engines became possible as the wildfire spread into an un-mowed Miscellaneous grass field and fire behavior decreased in the fine fuels. Sub-cause: Dozer crews established a two-blade-width wide path through moderately thick Roadside start brush and trees on the north and west flanks of the fire. High temperatures and erratic winds kept fire activity high and increased spotting potential, which required County: numerous water drops throughout the wildfire. Bastrop

Dispatched: 08/10/2008 1449 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 101° 08/12/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 30% 2000 hours Wind: SSE 8 G 22 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 118° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 5% Yes

Ownership: Private Watts Lane Wildfire Bastrop County

Many wildfires are caused by roadside starts from vehicles dragging chains, engines that backfire or hot catalytic converters. This is just another important reason to keep your vehicle maintenance up-to-date. 1020 Wildfire Blanco County

RESOURCES Acreage: 25 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 0 2 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 11 26 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 1, 3, 6 Aviation: None

Structures Saved: 4 The deadly combination of drought and a breezy day produced conditions where a single cigarette butt caused an instant wildfire ignition. Dry grasses that are receptive Structures Lost: to an ignition can quickly create a fast moving wildfire. Despite the higher humidity, 0 winds speeds of over 10 mph with gust of 18 mph pushed the wildfire through short grass and into a forested area. Four volunteer fire departments and assistance from Cause: the Texas Forest Service were required to contain the wildfire. Smoking A high priority should be assigned to year-round wildfire prevention and other Sub-cause: efforts that reduce hazardous conditions and risks to citizens and property. If None someone is smoking outside your house, check for smoldering butts, especially during dry summertime weather. Careless smoking poses a danger to everyone. County: Blanco

Dispatched: 04/14/2008 1500 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 66° 04/16/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 41% 1800 hours Wind: S 10 G 18 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 81° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% Yes

Ownership: Private 1020 Wildfire Blanco County

The key to a significant reduction in the numbers of wildfires is theprevention of human-caused wildfires. People and their actions cause over 90 percent of all wildfires in Texas. Never toss a cigarette out of a car window, and do not put cigarettes out on the ground. Cypress Valley Ranch Wildfire Blanco County

RESOURCES Acreage: 489 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 2 3 20 1 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 23 49 0 0 Fire Size Class: E Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 1, 3, 4, 6 Aviation: Helicopter, Air Attack

Structures Saved: In the Cypress Valley Ranch Wildfire, high fire behavior in grassy fuels with four 25 to eight foot flame lengths required equipment for direct attack.The wildfire was reported to have been caused by the use of farm equipment. The wildfire resulted Structures Lost: in the loss of a barn and the farm equipment. There were no reported injuries or 1 evacuations from the area during the event.

Cause: Multiple fire departments were able to contain the fire and stayed with it through Equipment use the night to prevent flare up. The following morning, firefighters were concerned about the wildfire possibly spreading due to forecasted high winds. Sub-cause: Farm equipment Unmaintained and abandoned agriculture fields can be just as flammable as other vegetation, if drought conditions have kept crops from being irrigated and County: maintained. Homeowners need to be aware of possible risk to wildfires as homes Blanco are placed closer to what was once farmland and has now been abandoned and is overgrown. Dispatched: 03/04/2008 1642 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 95° 03/06/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 37% 1800 hours Wind: SSW 8 G 18 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 114° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% Yes

Ownership: Private Cypress Valley Ranch Wildfire Blanco County

Break the “wildfire chain” Evergreens catch fire easily and burn quickly. Prune lower limbs to five or six feet. Thin out or remove trees from the safety zone of your defensible space. Lightfoot Ranch Wildfire Blanco County

RESOURCES Acreage: 64 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 0 2 0 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 15 37 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 1, 3, 6 Aviation: Air Attack

Structures Saved: The Lightfoot Ranch Wildfire was started by a single spark from fence welding 14 in an open pasture of cured grasses. Quick response by the local volunteer fire department knocked the quick moving wildfire down before it hit heavy brush Structures Lost: fuels with intense force. Dozers secured the fire line as the fire continued to burn in 0 heavier perimeter brush fuels. Cause: Daily activities in rural areas of the state require an understanding of possible Equipment use wildland threats. When welding where vegetation cannot be removed, a sprayer should be used to wet down the work area prior to welding. A wider area on the Sub-cause: down-wind side from the welding location should also be wet down. The vegetation Welding should be re-wet if working in the same area for an extended period. Someone watching for sparks to ignite should be present at all times so ignitions can be put County: out quickly. With just a few precautions, the potential loss of valuable pastureland, Blanco livestock and structures can be mitigated. Dispatched: 02/05/2008 1704 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 74° 02/06/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 27% 1800 hours Wind: WNW 5 G 11 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 93° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 11% Yes

Ownership: Private Lightfoot Ranch Wildfire Blanco County

Short grass can ignite from a single spark when conditions for wildfires are right in both the winter and summer months. Whenever possible, remove vegetation from work areas where equipment use could result in ignitions. Maenius Wildfire Blanco County

RESOURCES Acreage: 500 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 2 3 16 2 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 11 35 0 0 Fire Size Class: E Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 1, 4, 6 Aviation: Helicopter, Air Attack

Structures Saved: 14 Elevated critical fire danger conditions, erratic shifting winds and thick fuels contributed to the active fire behavior of this wildfire. The wildfire, located ten miles Structures Lost: northwest of Blanco, Texas, resulted in the loss of 500 acres of agriculture land. 0 Probability of ignition from flying embers ranged from 81 to 92 percent during the wildfire. The dry, easily combustible heavy fuels burned intensely, which made mop- Cause: up difficult. Equipment use A spark, created by an idling vehicle in dry, grassy fuels, started the wildfire. The Sub-cause: initial wildfire moved from the grassy fuels into heavier brushy fuels and threatened Vehicles 14 homes. Some homeowners reported that the wildfire burned within 30 feet of their home. Local fire departments focused on home protection by watching for County: embers and spotting into yards. Blanco

Dispatched: 07/20/2008 1600 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 90° 07/23/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 40% 1800 hours Wind: SSW 6 G 15 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 102° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 8% Yes

Ownership: Private and State Maenius Wildfire Blanco County

Landscape Fire Safety requires that any vegetation planted around the home, even in rural areas, is: • drought tolerant • high in moisture content • easily pruned and maintained Pedernales Falls II Wildfire Blanco County

RESOURCES Acreage: 324 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 2 6 2 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 9 22 0 0 Fire Size Class: E Dozers: Type 4 Engines: Type 1, 3, 6 Aviation: Contract Helicopter, Blackhawks, Air Attack Structures Saved: 7 Welding in dry windy conditions stared a wildfire that required Blackhawk helicopters response near Pedernales Falls State Park. More than three hundred acres Structures Lost: burned and multiple homes were threaten. The rocky terrain and steep topography 0 where the wildfire occurred required fire fighters to work for several days before the wildfire was contained. This was the second wildfire in the area in only a matter of a Cause: days. Equipment use The wildfire was located along the perimeter of the 4,860-acre state park, which Sub-cause: stretches along both banks of the Pedernales River for six miles and for three miles Welding along the south side of a rugged gorge known as the Pedernales Falls. The loss of endangered species habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) County: prior to March nesting would have been a significant environmental loss. Blanco

Dispatched: 02/26/2008 1430 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 95° 02/29/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 37% 1800 hours Wind: SSW 8 G 18 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 114° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% Yes

Ownership: Private and State Pedernales Falls II Wildfire Blanco County

Habitat loss is often the primary factor threatening a species’ existence. Historically, Golden-cheeked Warblers were confined to areas protected from wildfires. Vegetative encroachment from other invasive species from limited controlled burning and mechanical removal of brush has threatened what was once the Golden-cheeked Warblers’ habitat. Sandy II Wildfire Blanco County

RESOURCES Acreage: 800 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 3 0 6 0 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 26 68 0 0 Fire Size Class: E Dozers: Type 4, 5 Engines: Type 1, 4, 6 Aviation: Helicopter, Air Attack

Structures Saved: Firefighters from over nine departments fought the Sandy II Wildfire that started 4 late in the afternoon from welding sparks. The wildfire burned 500 acres of forestland and 300 acres of grass/brush land. Despite the size of the wildfire, there Structures Lost: were no forced evacuations of homes. 0 The wildfire burned in a mixed oak landscape with understory brush of cedar, Cause: yaupon, mesquite and thick bunch grasses. Wildfire behavior was high, with flame Equipment use lengths of eight to 11 feet, along with crowning, torching and spotting. This behavior created control problems during the wildfire. Sub-cause: Welding There was no burn ban in effect during the time of the wildfire. County judges and/or county commissioner’s courts can implement burn bans at any time, and County: the restrictions may change rapidly to accommodate dry or dangerous conditions. Blanco Homeowners should stay current with the weather and decisions made within the county to avoid burning during periods of high fire danger. Dispatched: 06/11/2008 1330 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 96° 06/13/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 30% 1800 hours Wind: SSE 11 G 22 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 114° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% No

Ownership: Private Sandy II Wildfire Blanco County

The woodland lifestyle brings risks to those that choose to lead it. Bark beetle and other insect infestation can add to dead, dry wood in many forests, which can increase the severity of wildfires. If you are concerned about dead or diseased trees, contact your local urban forester for guidelines for removal or pruning. Lockhart South Wildfire Caldwell County

RESOURCES Acreage: 25 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 0 2 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 4 8 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: None

Structures Saved: The 25-acre Lockhart South Wildfire occurred in a rural area of Lockhart, Texas, 14 in grass fuels. “The outskirts of the city pose some of the greatest areas of wildfire danger, where wildland and urban settings meet,” said Mark Baker, Lockhart Fire Structures Lost: Marshal. “This is where grassfires can impact neighborhoods and cause considerable 0 destruction.” Moderate fire behavior was seen during the wildfire. Flame lengths from four to eight feet were seen. Dozers and engines were required for direct attack. Cause: Debris burning It is no secret that weather patterns in Central Texas are sporadic and can be often be unpredictable. For example, one community could be doused with rain and Sub-cause: addressing flooding issues and another could be blanketed in sunshine and battling Brush pile wildfires. Emergency resource personal are often stretched to the limit. As changing extreme weather patterns continue to play out across the state, communities need County: to stay aware of current threats in their area and mitigate their own property Caldwell accordingly. Dispatched: 06/11/2008 1900 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 74° 06/11/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 27% 2200 hours Wind: WNW 5 G 11 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 93° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 11% Yes

Ownership: Private Lockhart South Wildfire Caldwell County

County Judges and or County Commissioners’ Court establish county burn bans. The Texas For- est Service is not responsible for establishing or removing burning bans. Encino Road Wildfire Hays County

RESOURCES Acreage: 140 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Acres State/Fed/Contractor: 1 0 11 1 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 Unknown 4 Dept 0 0 Fire Size Class: D Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Unknown Aviation: Star Flight, Air Attack

Structures Saved: At approximately 1500 hours, a fire escaped from an unsupervised barbeque pit. 65 South Hays Fire/Rescue, already on another emergency call, requested assistance from Wimberley Volunteer Fire Department. The wildfire posed a significant Structures Lost: threat because it was location within the middle of a subdivision surrounded by 7 unimproved land. Twenty-five homes and 40 outbuildings were in direct danger from the wildfire. Of these, one home and six outbuildings were lost to the blaze.Two cars Cause: and a tractor were also lost. Barbeque grill The wildfire was not the only thing firefighters were fighting—the closest Sub-cause: municipal water source was 12 miles away in San Marcos. None “Water was not readily available to contain the fire, which posed a significant County: problem and a threat to those involved. We started sending trucks back and forth to Hays San Marcos when we started,” said Carroll Czichos, Wimberley Fire Chief. “Water is always a problem but there were swimming pools, and that definitely helped.” Dispatched: Rocky terrain made dozer work nearly impossible. Instead, hand crews patrolled the 07/22/2008 edge of the fire for hand line construction. 1605 hours

Controlled: RAWS Wildfire Weather 07/24/2008 1800 hours Maximum Temperature: 100° Minimum Relative Humidity: 13% Burn Ban: Wind: SE G 11 Yes Maximum Fuel Temperature: 118° Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 3% Ownership: Private Encino Road Wildfire Hays County

“We are very dry. We are very hot. Any amount of wind with the amount of dry fuel we have can cause a wildfire to get real hot, real big, real fast.” -Jan Fulkerson Public Information Officer, Texas Forest Service Old Bastrop Highway Wildfire Hays County

RESOURCES Acreage: 866 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Major State/Fed/Contractor: 3 0 7 3 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 16 42 0 0 Fire Size Class: E Dozers: Type 5, 6 Engines: Type 2, 3, 6 Aviation: Helitanker, Blackhawk, Air Attack Structures Saved: Sparks-producing equipment, hot vehicle exhaust systems or faulty equipment 50 is the cause for many wildfires. This wildfire would be another such incident. The extreme wildfire behavior seen during this wildfire was the result of cured native Structures Lost: grasses and heavy brushy fuels combined with extended drought conditions. 3 Flame lengths in excess of 11 feet were observed, along with crowning and Cause: torching. Runs in fine flashy grass fuels made containment difficult. Eight volunteer Equipment use fire departments conducted the initial attack. Eighty to100 firefighters battled the grass wildfire to save threatened homes in an adjacent subdivision.While the Sub-cause: firefighters fought the blaze, citizens frantically attempted to move cattle, pets, farm Vehicle equipment and vehicles during a voluntarily evacuation.

County: As many as five separate wildfires in close proximity to one another were reported Hays during the time of this wildfire. This stretched available resources thin to contain the wildfires. Dispatched: 03/14/2008 1411 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 78° 03/16/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 38% 1800 hours Wind: SSW 10 G 20 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 94° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 10% Yes

Ownership: Private Old Bastrop Highway Wildfire Hays County

Blackhawks and helitankers can drop large amounts of water, can get into areas not easily accessible by ground and be eyes in the sky. A helitanker has the capability of dropping up to 1,000 gallons of water per drop. Byas Springs Road Wildfire Kerr County

RESOURCES Acreage: 924 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Significant State/Fed/Contractor: 7 0 22 1 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 14 28 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 4, 5 Engines: Type 1, 3, 6 Aviation: Helitanker, Air Attack

Structures Saved: 35 An unknown cause (still under investigation) sparked this 900+ acre wildfire.Very high fire behavior in thick brush was seen. Eleven-foot flames made strong runs and Structures Lost: threatened 15 homes and 20 outbuildings. One hunting cabin, one shed and one barn 3 were lost.

Cause: A Texas Forest Service strike team of dozers assisted local departments in Miscellaneous containing the blaze. However, by nightfall the wildfire was still only 50 percent contained and resources were experiencing difficulties due to terrain and heavy, Sub-cause: closed canopy brush. None A total of two county dozers, one DPS helicopter, five fire departments, 10 brush County: trucks, three tenders and 65 personnel were assisted by TFS resources of six dozers, Kerr four engines, five overhead and one air attack to contain the wildfire.

Dispatched: 05/07/2008 1619 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 90° 05/09/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 66% 1800 hours Wind: W 13 G 30 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 107° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 3% Yes

Ownership: Private Byas Springs Road Wildfire Kerr County

Historically in the Texas Hill Country, Ashe juniper (Juniperus asheii) was only located on steep slopes and canyon sides. Overgraz- ing and poor land use practices have allowed for the encroachment of this evergreen into the grasslands of the area and increasing wild- fire danger in the Urban-Wildland Interface. Garven Store Wildfire Kerr County

RESOURCES Acreage: 4,500 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 6 2 23 2 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 23 53 0 0 Fire Size Class: F Dozers: Type 4, 5 Engines: Type 1, 2, 3, 6 Aviation: Helitanker, Air Attack

Structures Saved: The Garven Store Wildfire began in Real County, burned 2 acres before spotting 15 across US 83, and burned the remainder of the 4,500 acres east of US 83. Ground resources included federal, out-of-state and Texas Forest Service equipment Structures Lost: and personnel. Aerial resources included air attack and two privately contracted 4 suppression helicopters that together dropped 50,000 gallons of water and retardant.

Cause: Southeast winds of 15 mph, with gust to 21 mph, kept temperatures in the low 70s Equipment use and relative humidity in the teens. These conditions allowed the wildfire to display very high fire behavior. Flames of eight to 11 feet moved through cured grass and Sub-cause: cutover, which caused control problems. Crowning, torching and spotting were also Welding seen during the wildfire.

County: “Statewide, at least 75 wildfires have destroyed 60 homes and structures and Kerr scorched at least 70,000 acres,” said the governor’s office in a written release. “More than half the counties in the state have been under recent burn bans.” This statement Dispatched: was released just two days prior to this wildfire 02/08/2008 1545 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather Controlled: 02/10/2008 Maximum Temperature: 73° 1800 hours Minimum Relative Humidity: 19% Wind: NNW 15 G 21 Burn Ban: Maximum Fuel Temperature: 75° Yes Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 4%

Ownership: Private Garven Store Wildfire Kerr County

On Jan. 29, only one month into the 2008 wildfire season, the worst wildfire seen in the season so far began. Wind speeds of almost 60 mph paired with discarded cigarettes and downed power lines to ignite two major fires that burned thousands of acres and resulted in the evacuations of multiple neighborhoods. Kerr County Complex Wildfire Kerr County

RESOURCES Acreage: 3,431 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Major State/Fed/Contractor: 3 0 68 2 3 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 42 83 0 0 Fire Size Class: F Dozers: Type 2, 4, 5 Engines: Type 1, 2, 3, 6 Aviation: Helicopter, Air Attack

Structures Saved: The Kerr County Complex Wildfire, which burned in Kerr and Gillespie counties, 314 had a total of eight wildfires and exhibited extreme fire behavior. The use of welding equipment in extremely erratic winds produced long range spotting in dormant Structures Lost: woody brush species. Flame lengths in excess of 11 feet in fine heavy grass fuel 8 loads were seen. The Rough Road, Midway and Rogers Trail wildfires converged and burned 345 acres with no losses. The Turtle Creek Wildfire burned 358 with no Cause: losses. The Panther Creek Wildfire burned 488 acres with no losses. This wildfire Equipment use was a major interface wildfire that threatened over 314 homes and outbuildings in numerous subdivisions. Nineteen volunteer fire departments, the Department Sub-cause: of Public Safety, Texas Department of Transportation and multiple other agencies Welding responded to the wildfire. County: Seven vehicle accident occurred as a result of smoke on I-10. A 20-mile section of Kerr/Gillespie I-10 was closed due to smoke, for three hours. Dispatched: 01/31/2008 1131 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 48° 02/03/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 31% 1800 hours Wind: N 19 G 33 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 49° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 8% Yes

Ownership: Private Multiple owners Kerr County Complex Wildfire Kerr County

“Above average fine fuel loads combined with low relative humidity and high winds gave way to extremely high rates of spread, single and group tree torching, and flame heights above 11 feet.” “The state and local contributors worked seamlessly together to minimize catastrophic loss to any of the nearly 200 homes that were threatened that day.” -Rich Gray Incident Commander/ Regional Fire Coordinator Stonegate Wildfire Kendall County

RESOURCES Acreage: 50 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 0 0 2 1 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 8 18 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: None Engines: Type 6 Aviation: Helicopter, Air Attack

Structures Saved: 2 A single strike of lightening started this 50 acre grass/brush mix wildfire. Two Structures Lost: homes were immediately threatened. A subdivision of more than 40 homes was in 0 the path of the head fire. A facility for children was evacuated as a precaution during the wildfire. Aircraft support was provided by state agencies and ground activities Cause: were conducted by local fire departments. Lightning Lightening can strike even when there is no rain. Atmosphere conditions create a Sub-cause: setting where raindrops evaporate before hitting the ground allowing the lightening None strike to trigger a potential wildfire if contact is made with receptive fuels.These conditions most often occur in summer. Two-thirds of lighting fires occur in June, County: July and August (The Weather Channel). Kendall

Dispatched: 06/21/2008 1625 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 90° 06/21/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 40% 1800 hours Wind: NNW 11 G 20 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 108° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% Yes

Ownership: Private Stonegate Wildfire Kendall County

Thunderstorm Safety Observe the 30/30 rule: • If you see lightning and hear thunderclaps within 30 seconds, take storm counter measures. • Do not resume work until 30 minutes after the storm activity has passed. Pipeline Road Wildfire KImble County

RESOURCES Acreage: 23 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 1 4 1 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 10 22 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: Helicopter, Air Attack

Structures Saved: 15 The month of August started with excitement for homeowners in Kimble County Structures Lost: when lightning caused a wildfire that threatened six homes and nine outbuildings. 0 Firefighters responded to reports of smoke on a hill top on the Louis Bernaird Ranch. Thick, dry brush caused the blaze to spread quickly across twenty three acres of Cause: drought cured fuels in rough, rocky terrain. Fire behavior was moderate overall, with Lightning occasional high fire behavior due to wind gust of 18 mph. Texas Forest Service air attack assisted local ground resources in scouting out the fire. Sub-cause: None This wildfire joined the list of wildfire responses in the last three days making for weary firefighters. Weather predictions forecasted worse conditions over the next County: fourteen days. Kimble

Dispatched: 08/01/2008 1903 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 95° 08/02/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 37% 1800 hours Wind: SSW 8 G 18 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 114° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% Yes

Ownership: Private Pipeline Road Wildfire KImble County

National Interagency Fire Center reports for the period of 2000-2006, the nation had approximately 12,000 wildland fires started by lightning each year. That amounts to an average of 5.2 million acres of land consumed annually. Industrial Road Wildfire Lee County

RESOURCES Acreage: 85 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 2 0 4 1 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 2 24 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 1, 3 Aviation: SEAT, Helicopter

Structures Saved: Throughout the state, fire reports showed high wildfire danger and listed Central 5 Texas to have the highest danger in the state. On July 20, two Texas Forest Service dozer units were dispatched to the fire after 6:00 p.m. Further assistance, in the form Structures Lost: of air attack and SEATs, were later requested. Air attack reported hot activity on the 1 east flank of the wildfire.

Cause: Along with no rain in over 70 days, high temperatures, low relative humidity and Miscellaneous wind gust of 15 mph produced very high wildfire behavior through grass and brush fuels. Five houses were threatened and one outbuilding was lost. State Highway 77 Sub-cause: was closed for part of the wildfire, and was re-opened to traffic at 8:39 p.m. Other Four days after this wildfire, despite some rainfall from Hurricane Dolly, Central County: Texas was still in extreme drought. Often, the public does not realize that rain Lee received during these periods high of drought, unless substantial, do not make a difference. Outdoor burning should not be conducted until burn bans are lifted. Dispatched: 07/20/2008 1815 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 100° 07/21/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 25% 1800 hours Wind: S 6 G 15 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 117° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 5% Yes

Ownership: Private Industrial Road Wildfire Lee County

Hurricane Dolly’s outer rain bands brought much needed precipitation to parts of South Texas. Rainfall amounts to the north, including the San Antonio and Austin areas, were far too light to make much of a dent in the drought. Year-to-date totals in Austin measured less than one- half inch in July. Manheim Wildfire Lee County

RESOURCES Acreage: 50 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 2 6 2 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 9 22 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 1, 3, 6 Aviation: Helicopter, Air Attack

Structures Saved: 3 A spark from an unattended barbeque grill started the fifty-acre Manheim Wildfire Structures Lost: around 3:00 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon. The wildfire quickly spread through fine 1 and brushy fuels. The wildfire then crossed a caliche road and made a run through a coastal grass field. Volunteer fire departments slowed the flames while a Texas Forest Cause: Service dozer completely ringed the fire before another run was possible. Critically Miscellaneous dry fuels and high temperatures allowed interior spotting and single tree torching. The torching was extinguished quickly by local volunteer fire departments with Sub-cause: assistance from Texas Forest Service engine crews. Barbecue pit Unfortunately, an abandoned mobile home was destroyed by the wildfire. The County: landowner expressed no concern over losing the structure. Lee

Dispatched: 07/29/2008 1547 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 101° 07/30/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 29% 1600 hours Wind: SSE 8 G 16 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 115° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 5% Yes

Ownership: Private Manheim Wildfire Lee County

Homeowners should always demonstrate extra awareness of wildfire danger around their homes, especially during drought and burn ban conditions. Embers from a barbecue pit can easily ignite fine, dry fuels within close proximity to a house. Bell Mountain Wildfire Llano County

RESOURCES Acreage: 180 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Significant State/Fed/Contractor: 4 2 19 5 2 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 9 22 0 0 Fire Size Class: D Dozers: Type 4, 5 Engines: Type 2, 3, 6 Aviation: SEAT, Air Attack Helitanker Structures Saved: 21 At 2:00 p.m., sparks from welding equipment being used to construct fencing for Structures Lost: a private residence ignited the grass fuels surrounding the area. The wildfire spread 0 through grassy fuels and eventually moved into brush and trees. Rolling hills and rocky outcrops made some areas inaccessible to ground resources. At one point, the Cause: wildfire spotted across road and made a run towards homes and other structures. Equipment use Division supervisor and safety officer, Brantley McManus, reported multiple Sub-cause: tree torching, some crowning, numerous spots and overall high fire activity. Due Welding to control concerns in the rough terrain, multiple aerial resources were requested throughout the wildfire. A total of 46,525 gallons of water and retardant was dropped County: during the wildfire. Llano

Dispatched: 06/27/2008 1500 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 95° 06/29/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 37% 1800 hours Wind: SSW 8 G 18 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 114° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% Yes

Ownership: Private Bell Mountain Wildfire Llano County

“Welding fires can be avoided if the proper precautions are used. Work in pairs, and keep a fire extinguisher or water near the work area.” - Landon Temple: Resource Specialist Type 1 - Texas Forest Service Putnam Mountain Wildfire llano County

RESOURCES Acreage: 56 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 3 3 19 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 5 11 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: None

Structures Saved: 25 Sparks from a Central Texas Electric Cooperative dozer pushing debris for the Structures Lost: construction of a new power line on private property caused this wildfire. Multiple 0 local volunteer fire departments responded along with Texas Forest Service and out of state dozer and engine crews. The wildfire moved through mostly grass fuels, Cause: but some areas of brushy fuels were consumed . Flame lengths of less than four feet Equipment use allowed for direct attack of the head and flank. Moderate wildfire behavior would be observed. Five homes and 20 outbuildings were threatened, but none were lost. Sub-cause: Farm equipment In recent years, the media has increased awareness during burn bans through publications, radio announcements and advertisements. It is up to homeowners and County: private business to be responsible during these extreme fire danger periods. Llano

Dispatched: 03/04/2008 1235 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 71° 03/06/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 77% 1800 hours Wind: SSW 9 G 20 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 72° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 13% Yes

Ownership: Private Putnam Mountain Wildfire llano County

Make sure that all gas-powered equipment is equipped with a spark arrester. To be safe, equipment should be taken to a repair shop to ensure the spark arrester is working properly. Early morning, when dew is still on the grass, is the best time to use gas-powered equipment. Brady North Wildfire McCulloch County

RESOURCES Acreage: 100 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 2 0 2 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 10 volunteer fire departments - numbers unknown Fire Size Class: D Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: None

Structures Saved: 3 The 100-acre wildfire in McCulloch County, Texas, was started by welding being done on transmission lines. Despite the higher humidity, 22 mph winds fanned Structures Lost: flames and made control efforts difficult. Officials reported high wildfire behavior 0 with four to eight foot flames seen in grass fuels. Active fire behavior was seen in brush fuels of cedar and mesquite. Cause: Miscellaneous Along with Texas Forest Service, ten volunteer fire departments from McCulloch and surrounding counties were able to make a direct attack with equipment. Three Sub-cause: homes were evacuated during the wildfire. Transmission lines In smaller communities where concrete and asphalt are not available to act County: as buffers, community leaders should plan and assess the need for mitigation. McCulloch Homeowners need to secure their own property with mitigation and fuel management around their house. Dispatched: 06/05/2008 1545 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 95° 06/07/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 36% 1800 hours Wind: SSE 22 G 38 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 111° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 5% Yes

Ownership: Private Brady North Wildfire McCulloch County

During the 2008 wildfire season, over 150 wildfires were started due to the use of equipment in areas of fine, dry fuels. Use caution when working with equipment that produces sparks during periods of drought, high winds and other extreme weather conditions. Doyle Overton Wildfire travis County

RESOURCES Acreage: 31 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 2 0 3 1 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 6 20 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: Air Attack

Structures Saved: 10 Fireworks were determined to be the cause of this 21-acre wildfire inTravis Structures Lost: County. High wildfire behavior was reported through brushy vegetation of cedar, 0 mesquite and yaupon. Flame lengths of four to eight feet allowed for direct attack from equipment. Wind gust of 18 mph made the wildfire hard to control. Ten homes Cause: and eight outbuildings were threatened, but no structures were lost. Miscellaneous Careless use of fireworks during dry conditions can result in wildfires. Homes Sub-cause: in areas of the urban interface are particularly at risk because of their proximity to Fireworks fuels. Hard frosts and cooler weather cause grasses and weeds to dry out and go dormant, which makes them more flammable. This vegetation, along with fallen County: leaves, increases the amount of fuel available for wildfires. Travis

Dispatched: 01/01/2008 1355 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 57° 01/02/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 21% 1800 hours Wind: NNE 8 G 18 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 68° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% No

Ownership: Private Doyle Overton Wildfire Travis County

On Independence Day, more wildfires are reported in the United States than on any other day. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks account for half of those— more than any other single cause of wildfires. Whether celebrating Independence Day or New Year’s Eve, take care when using fireworks during extreme drought conditions. Moore Road Wildfire Travis County

RESOURCES Acreage: 37 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 0 3 1 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 11 16 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: Helicopter

Structures Saved: 9 Unsafe household debris burning during a burn ban caused this 37-acre interface wildfire. The wildfire moved from the homeowner’s property and quickly threatened Structures Lost: other properties. Firefighters focused on protecting the nine homes threatened by the 0 wildfire. Flames were said to have moved into some yards and up to homes.Thanks to the hard work of the volunteer fire departments and homeowners using garden Cause: hoses, no structures were damaged or lost. A helicopter made repeated drops on the Debris burning fire while dozers broke through heavy brush to take fuel away from the wildfire.The Fire Marshall investigated the debris burning. Sub-cause: Household trash Wildfire behavior was reported as moderate, with flame lengths less than four feet in grassy fuels. Despite predicted high winds, firefighters reported the winds County: died down shortly after ignition, which reduced the fear of increased rates of spread Travis through fine fuels.

Dispatched: 03/07/2008 1600 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 60° 03/08/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 24% 1800 hours Wind: ENE 12 G 28 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 71° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 7% Yes

Ownership: Private Moore Road Wildfire Travis County

In the past, the trash burned by residents, especially those in rural areas, consisted mainly of paper and wood. The makeup of trash has changed within the past 50 years and now includes coated paper, plastics and other materials manufactured by humans that can produce harmful pollutants (Environmental Protection Agency). Ferris Ranch Wildfire Williamson County

RESOURCES Acreage: 30 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 0 2 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 8 fire departments - number of personnel unknown Fire Size Class: C Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: None

Structures Saved: 4 Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters found grass fuels burning towards several Structures Lost: homes in the area. City and county fire departments, as well as other resources, 0 worked together to protect structures threatened by the 30-acre wildfire.Wildfire behavior was low in improved pastures and oak/juniper woodlands. Flame lengths Cause: were less than four feet and direct attack of the wildfire head and flanks was Miscellaneous possible.

Sub-cause: According to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection reports, on June 15, 2008, Other the 17 fire departments located in Williamson County responded to not only the Ferris Ranch wildfire, but also two other wildfires. County: Williamson

Dispatched: 06/15/2008 1515 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 99° 06/16/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 26% 1800 hours Wind: SE 8 G 16 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 114° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% Yes

Ownership: Private Ferris Ranch Wildfire Williamson County

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection reports that in the Central Branch there are 217 paid and volunteer fire departments to respond to wildfires. The majority of these departments are staffed by men and women who work full-time jobs and donate their free time to serve the community. Florence Wildfire Williamson County

RESOURCES Acreage: 1,452 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Major State/Fed/Contractor: 5 3 61 12 3 VFD/Cooperatives: 19 fire departments - total personnel unknown Fire Size Class: F Dozers: Type 4, 5 Engines: Type 1, 3, 6 Aviation: Helicopter, SEAT, Air Tankers Structures Saved: On August 7, 2008, flames were reported near Highway 195 and County Road 125 23 in Florence, Texas, a short distance from Georgetown, Texas, and Interstate 35. Texas Forest Service dozers responded within hours of the wildfire start and worked Structures Lost: into the early morning hours to protect approximately 50 homes near County Road 0 233 and the Pecan Branch subdivision. Residents were evacuated.

Cause: Extremely rocky terrain, critically dry fine and heavy fuels, as well as strong Miscellaneous shifting winds made containment work slow and tedious. Friday afternoon, when temperatures again rose to 100 degrees, additional flare-ups were seen.These Sub-cause: flare-ups did not endanger any additional structures, but kept volunteer crews from Other Williamson and Travis counties, as well as state and federal crews busy. Small acreage flare-ups were reported each afternoon until a small amount of precipitation, County: higher humidity’s and lower temperatures offered some relief. Williamson Complete containment of the wildfire was declared on Friday, August 15, 2008. Dispatched: The wildfire did receive a Fire Management Assistance from FEMA. The cause of 08/07/2008 the wildfire is still unknown, but investigations continue. At the end of the weeklong 1345 hours incident, 125 homes were saved. Over 100 fire personnel responded to the 1,400- acre wildfire. Controlled: 08/14/2008 RAWS Wildfire Weather 2000 hours Maximum Temperature: 101° Burn Ban: Minimum Relative Humidity: 21% Yes Wind: SSW 8 G 16 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 117° Ownership: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% Private Florence Wildfire Williamson County

“It’s a waiting game. It’s scary; it’s very scary. [You] wonder are you going to get to go home to your property or go home to nothing,” said Linda Knight, a resident who was evacuated from her home. Lobo Wildfire Williamson County

RESOURCES Acreage: 175 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Significant State/Fed/Contractor: 1 0 3 1 1 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 17 36 0 0 Fire Size Class: D Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: Helicopter, Air Attack

Structures Saved: 15 This grass wildfire was started by a cigarette. Aided by winds gusting to 24 mph, the wildfire burned across 175-acres of improved pastureland. High wildfire Structures Lost: behavior was observed in grass fuels. Four to eight foot flame lengths allowed only 0 equipment to make a direct attack. As the wildfire quickly approached fifteen homes, local volunteer fire departments began staging resources around the homes for Cause: protection. The quick response and work done by volunteer fire departments meant Smoking that no homes were lost to the wildfire.

Sub-cause: Homes with wood siding construction are at increased risk to possible ignition Traceable to from wildfires if vegetation is within close proximity of the home. Heat from a smoking wildfire igniting vegetation can penetrate combustible sidings and spread into the stud cavity and up the wall into the eaves and soffits. County: Williamson

Dispatched: 03/25/2008 RAWS Wildfire Weather 1455 hours Maximum Temperature: 78° Controlled: Minimum Relative Humidity: 38% 03/26/2008 Wind: S 14 G 24 1800 hours Maximum Fuel Temperature: 86° Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 10% Burn Ban: Yes

Ownership: Private Lobo Wildfire Williamson County

Reapplying siding to your home is an expensive endeavor. However, there are ways to mitigate wildfire threats, by keeping vegetation and other combustible materials away from your home through landscape designs that separate the home from vegetation. Examples are: • Rock or stonework • Gravel splash guard/spacer • Sidewalks Ocotillo Wildfire Williamson County

RESOURCES Acreage: 20 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Major State/Fed/Contractor: 0 0 1 1 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 10 26 0 0 Fire Size Class: C Dozers: None Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: Air Attack

Structures Saved: Texas Forest Service was requested to send a non-suppression air attack plane 40 for the 20-acre Ocotillo Wildfire. Five city and county fire departments responded to the grass wildfire that was ignited from unknown causes. The number of homes Structures Lost: threatened by the wildfire within the urban interface made this wildfire significant. 0 If this wildfire had happened in a different month or on a different day with more Cause: extreme weather conditions and dryer fuels, the outcome would have most likely Miscellaneous been different. Homes would have been lost and many more acres would have been consumed by the wildfire. Sub-cause: Other Homeowners and fire fighters cannot become complacent during seasons when wildfire threats appear to be minimal. Winter weather conditions, whether extreme or County: just outside the norm, have the potential to produced weather variables that can lead Williamson to active wildfire behavior. Just because the temperature outside is not high does not mean the threat of wildfires do not exist. Dispatched: 03/22/2008 1520 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 80° 03/22/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 31% 1800 hours Wind: NNE 7 G 15 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 90° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 12% No

Ownership: Private Ocotillo Wildfire Williamson County

Weather events seen during the 2008 winter wildfire season came together to produce a very active wildfire season across the state. Walburg Wildfire Williamson County

RESOURCES Acreage: 123 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Interface State/Fed/Contractor: 1 1 3 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 10 20 0 0 Fire Size Class: D Dozers: Type 6 Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: None

Structures Saved: 8 A spark from an electric fence started this 123-acre grass wildfire that spread Structures Lost: quickly improved ranching pastureland. High wildfire behavior was reported with 0 flame lengths in excess of four to eight feet in fine flashy fuels.The wildfire was aided by wind gust of 18 mph. Five homes and three outbuildings were threatened, Cause: but no structures were lost. One Texas Forest Service dozer and engine responded to Miscellaneous the wildfire along with nine volunteer and county fire departments.

Sub-cause: Some elements of nature are beyond our control. Weather events can dislodge or Electric fence break fence posts, so routine maintenance on equipment should take place. Weeds and grass should be managed and kept clear of electric fencing to prevent sparking County: into dry fuels, which could result in costly wildfires. Williamson

Dispatched: 01/12/2008 1310 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 57° 01/13/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 21% 1800 hours Wind: NNE 8 G 18 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 68° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 6% No

Ownership: Private Walburg Wildfire Williamson County

Homeowners need to remember there is not one single product that will save a home from wildfire every time. Homeowners need to look at all aspects of a home, including the surroundings, and determine where wildfire risks are and mitigate those risks. Wilson Wildfire Wilson County

RESOURCES Acreage: 200 Classification Dozers Engines Personnel Suppression Non-Suppression Aircraft Aircraft UWI: Significant State/Fed/Contractor: 2 0 4 0 0 VFD/Cooperatives: 0 19 34 0 0 Fire Size Class: D Dozers: Type 5 Engines: Type 3, 6 Aviation: None

Structures Saved: A spark from a chainsaw, which ignited grasses in the surrounding area and spread 23 into brushy fuels, started this 200-acre wildfire. At the time, local resources were committed to other fires in the county. Two Texas Forest Service dozers responded Structures Lost: to the wildfire and created containment lines in thick thorny brush.The TFS crews 0 worked into the night.

Cause: Due to the thick brush in some areas, winds were not able to fuel the wildfire Equipment use and only moderate wildfire behavior was observed. Flame lengths of four to eight feet0 made direct attack with equipment possible. Brush trucks from local volunteer Sub-cause: fire departments patrolled the wildfire throughout the night. OneTFS dozer crew Chainsaw returned the following day to complete the line around the west flank of the wildfire.

County: Twenty-three homes were threatened and 50 round bales of hay were lost during Wilson the wildfire. Homeowners on the west flank of the wildfire were exceptionally concerned because a home and family had been lost to a structure fire during the last Dispatched: year. 06/25/2008 1412 hours RAWS Wildfire Weather

Controlled: Maximum Temperature: 95° 06/28/2008 Minimum Relative Humidity: 29% 1800 hours Wind: SSE 11 G 23 Maximum Fuel Temperature: 110° Burn Ban: Minimum 10 hr Fuel Moisture: 7% Yes

Ownership: Private Wilson Wildfire Wilson County

To a wildfire, your house, if built of flammable materials, is only fuel. Wildfires do not discriminate between trees and homes - if it is flammable, it will burn.

Take steps to protect your home from flames by taking some simple steps to create defensible space. Appendix

Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is an index used to determining forest fire potential.The drought index is based on a daily water balance, where a drought factor is balanced with precipitation and soil moisture (assumed to have a maximum storage capacity of 8-inches) and is expressed in hundredths of an inch of soil moisture depletion.

The drought index ranges from zero to 800, where a drought index of zero represents no moisture depletion, and an index of 800 represents absolutely dry conditions. Presently, this index is derived from ground-based estimates of temperature and precipitation derived from weather stations and interpolated manually by experts at the Texas Forest Service (TFS) for counties across the state.

• KBDI = 0 - 200: Soil moisture and large class fuel moistures are high and do not contribute much to fire intensity. Typical of spring dormant season following winter precipitation.

• KBDI = 200 - 400: Typical of late spring, early growing season. Lower litter and duff layers are drying and beginning to contribute to fire intensity.

• KBDI = 400 - 600: Typical of late summer, early fall. Lower litter and duff layers actively contribute to fire intensity and will burn actively. KBDI = 600 - 800: Often associated with more severe drought with in-creased wildfire occurrence. Intense, deep burning fires with significant .

Acres Burned by Size Class

Class A - 0.25 acres or less

Class B - 0.26 to 9 acres

Class C - 10 to 99 acres

Class D - 100 to 299 acres

Class E - 300 to 999 acres

Class F - 1000 to 4999 acres

Class G - 5000 acres or more Homes Homes Start Date County Fire Name Acres Cause Saved Lost 01-Jan-08 Bastrop Mesa Fire 6 5 0 Miscellaneous 01-Jan-08 Hays Rivas Fire 67 34 0 Miscellaneous 01-Jan-08 Hays Lonnie Lane 18 50 1 Debris burning 01-Jan-08 Travis Doyle Overton 31 10 0 Miscellaneous 02-Jan-08 Bastrop BJ Mays 8 8 0 Miscellaneous 03-Jan-08 Lee Huff-Lewis 60 0 0 Debris burning 05-Jan-08 Caldwell Silver Mine Ranch 57 1 0 Children 05-Jan-08 Gillespie Rode Fire 70 0 0 Miscellaneous 12-Jan-08 Williamson Walburg Fire 123 5 0 Miscellaneous 12-Jan-08 Gonzales Wild Road 497 2 0 Miscellaneous 13-Jan-08 Gillespie Old Number 9 90 1 0 Debris burning 27-Jan-08 Gillespie Maner Hacienta 228 3 0 Debris burning (Maner Road) 28-Jan-08 Burnet County Road 208 2106 4 0 Debris burning 29-Jan-08 Burnet Bertram 1480 4 0 Debris burning 29-Jan-08 Hays Creek Road Fire 230 4 0 Debris burning 29-Jan-08 Burnet Wilderness Cove 15 0 0 Debris burning 31-Jan-08 Kerr Kerr County Complex 3431 192 2 Equipment use 31-Jan-08 Hays White Water 40 4 0 Miscellaneous 31-Jan-08 Williamson FM 1431 Fire 2 0 0 Equipment use 01-Feb-08 Burnet Mason Ranch Co Rd 200 15 1 Miscellaneous 210 02-Feb-08 Fayette Mach Road 15 1 0 Debris burning 05-Feb-08 Blanco Lightfoot Ranch Fire 64 9 0 Equipment use 08-Feb-08 Kerr Garven Store Fire 4500 8 0 Equipment use 09-Feb-08 Kerr Big Sky 50 1 0 Debris burning 14-Feb-08 Mason Bluff Creek Fire 200 3 0 Incendiary 18-Feb-08 Wilson La Vernia Fire 53 2 0 Equipment use 19-Feb-08 Llano Castell Fire 400 6 0 Equipment use 24-Feb-08 Blanco Pedernales Fire 30 0 0 Miscellaneous 25-Feb-08 Gillespie Fiedler Road Fire 328 30 0 Equipment use 25-Feb-08 Menard 190 East Fire 320 1 0 Miscellaneous 25-Feb-08 Mason County Road 386 511 41 0 Miscellaneous 26-Feb-08 Blanco Pedernales Falls II 324 2 0 Equipment use 26-Feb-08 Caldwell Taylorsville Road 40 12 0 Miscellaneous 27-Feb-08 Karnes Gillett Fire 400 0 0 Miscellaneous 28-Feb-08 Burnet County Road 403B 87 6 0 Smoking 29-Feb-08 Colorado Oakridge Ranch 15 0 0 Debris burning 01-Mar08 Kimble Paks Fire 10 1 0 Miscellaneous 01-Mar-08 Mason Blackjack Fire 125 2 0 Miscellaneous 04-Mar-08 Llano Putman Mountain Fire 56 5 0 Equipment use 04-Mar-08 Guadalupe Green Valley Fire 167 8 2 Debris burning Start Date County Fire Name Acres Homes Homes Cause Saved Lost 04-Mar-08 Blanco Cypress Valley Ranch 489 6 0 Equipment use Fire 05-Mar-08 Mason West Simonsville 7 6 0 Equipment use Road 07-Mar-08 Travis Moore Road Fire 37 9 0 Debris burning 08-Mar-08 Kimble Gypmine 78 3 0 Equipment use 11-Mar-08 Kerr Banquet Fire 25 2 0 Equipment use 12-Mar-08 Blanco FM 2721 Fire 92 3 0 Debris burning 14-Mar-08 Hays Old Bastrop 866 50 1 Equipment use Highway 14-Mar-08 Gillespie Wetz Fire 9 0 0 Equipment use 15-Mar-08 Blanco Grape Creek Fire 59 1 0 Equipment use 22-Mar-08 Williamson Ocotillo 20 40 0 Miscellaneous 25-Mar-08 Williamson LoBo Fire 175 15 0 Smoking 26-Mar-08 San Saba Haverlah Fire 800 30 0 Debris burning 05-Apr-08 Blanco Smith West Fire 160 1 0 Equipment use 06-Apr-08 Kimble KC Road Fire 35 0 0 Debris burning 06-Apr-08 Burnet Wolf Creek Fire 10 0 0 Debris burning 15-Apr-08 Blanco 1020 Fire 25 2 0 Smoking 15-Apr-08 Bastrop Modock 1 1 0 Debris burning 07-May-08 Kerr Byas Springs Road 924 15 0 Miscellaneous 07-May-08 Mason James River Road 160 4 0 Debris burning 11-May-08 Gillespie Keese Road 15 0 0 Debris burning 19-May-08 Bastrop Kiln Fire 2 0 0 Equipment use 20-May-08 Bastrop Texas Oaks Fire 11 9 0 Debris burning 23-May-08 Bastrop Grand Canyon 3 2 0 Incendiary 01-Jun-08 Bastrop Colorado Circle 196 15 0 Equipment use 03-Jun-08 Bastrop Colorado Circle Two 3 0 0 Equipment use 05-Jun-08 McCulloch Brady North 100 3 0 Miscellaneous 07-Jun-08 Austin Hillboldt-145 20 0 0 Campfire 07-Jun-08 Bastrop Eilers Road 44 7 0 Miscellaneous 10-Jun-08 Bastrop Griffen Fire 10 0 0 Miscellaneous 11-Jun-08 Blanco Sandy 2-148 800 4 0 Equipment use 11-Jun-08 Fayette South Winds Farm 25 0 0 Equipment use 11-Jun-08 Caldwell Lockhart South 25 10 0 Debris burning 11-Jun-08 Bastrop Old San Antonio 15 0 0 Miscellaneous Road II 13-Jun-08 Fayette Gosch Lane 90 2 0 Debris burning 13-Jun-08 Bastrop McDowell Road 5 1 0 Debris burning 14-Jun-08 Bastrop Hyatt Fire 5 0 0 Equipment use 14-Jun-08 Bastrop Gunrange Fire 15 0 0 Miscellaneous Start Date County Fire Name Acres Homes Homes Cause Saved Lost 15-Jun-08 Williamson Ferris Ranch 30 4 0 Miscellaneous 16-Jun-08 Gonzales Apache Fire 20 0 0 Equipment use 18-Jun-08 Caldwell Serna 140 0 0 Debris burning 20-Jun-08 Williamson Copeland Fire 25 0 0 Equipment use 21-Jun-08 Kendall Stonegate 50 2 0 Lightning 23-Jun-08 Fayette South Weyand-162 5 0 0 Equipment use 24-Jun-08 Blanco Twisted Oaks-163 170 3 0 Equipment use 25-Jun-08 Wilson Wilson Fire-164 200 23 0 Equipment use 26-Jun-08 Kendal Dodge 15 30 0 Miscellaneous 27-Jun-08 Llano Bell Mountain-167 180 19 0 Equipment use 29-Jun-08 Bastrop Mays Fire 7 9 0 Miscellaneous 11-Jul-08 Fayette Old Plum-172 7 3 0 Debris burning 11-Jul-08 Hays Saddleridge Fire 1 0 0 Miscellaneous 12-Jul-08 Bastrop Red Bone Fire 2 0 0 Lightning 14-Jul-08 Gillespie Enchanted Rock-177 88 1 0 Children 14-Jul-08 Fayette Loehr Road 5 1 0 Miscellaneous 14-Jul-08 Caldwell Buccee Complex 87 3 0 Equipment use 16-Jul-08 Kendall Ranger Road-178 33 6 0 Equipment use 17-Jul-08 Caldwell Quarterhorse 20 2 0 Debris burning 19-Jul-08 Bastrop Kelly Road Fire 1 2 0 Miscellaneous 20-Jul-08 Blanco Maenius-181 500 6 0 Equipment use 20-Jul-08 Lee Industrial Road 85 5 0 Miscellaneous 20-Jul-08 Lee Principal Lake 5 10 0 Miscellaneous 21-Jul-08 Bastrop Hay Fire 30 3 0 Equipment use 21-Jul-08 Mason Mepkin (Nebgen) Fire 450 10 0 Miscellaneous 22-Jul-08 Caldwell Well Fire 7 0 0 Miscellaneous 22-Jul-08 Hays Encino Road 140 25 1 Campfire 22-Jul-08 Blanco 3M Ranch Fire 1035 5 0 Equipment use 27-Jul-08 Burleson Burleson 60 1 0 Miscellaneous 29-Jul-08 Lee Manheim 50 3 1 Miscellaneous 30-Jul-08 Williamson Hay Cutter 1 2 0 Equipment use 31-Jul-08 Kendall Hunter Creek Ranch 7 3 0 Miscellaneous 01-Aug-08 Burnet Pell Ranch 107 5 0 Lightning 01-Aug-08 Menard Menard 1024 5 0 Miscellaneous 01-Aug-08 Kimble Pipeline Road 23 6 0 Lightning 03-Aug-08 Bastrop Deepwoods 7 6 0 Debris burning 04-Aug-08 Williamson Robinson 86 1 0 Miscellaneous 07-Aug-08 Williamson Florence 1452 125 1 Miscellaneous 08-Aug-08 Comal Mystic Shores Fire 15 20 0 Miscellaneous 08-Aug-08 Bastrop FM 812 Fire 5 0 0 Miscellaneous 09-Aug-08 Gillespie Walking Plow-202 240 3 0 Equipment use Start Date County Fire Name Acres Homes Homes Cause Saved Lost 10-Aug-08 Llano Riley Mountain-203 125 1 0 Miscellaneous 10-Aug-08 Bastrop Watts Lane 25 10 0 Miscellaneous 10-Aug-08 Mason Fawn Ridge 480 12 0 Miscellaneous 10-Aug-08 Milam Milam 30 6 0 Miscellaneous 10-Aug-08 Bandera Oil Well 50 3 0 Miscellaneous 14-Aug-08 Lee Farris 1 1 0 Equipment use 24-Aug-08 Bastrop Alligator Creek 6 0 0 Debris burning

Central Branch Totals for the 2008 Wildfire Season Jan. 1, 2008 to Aug. 31, 2008

Wildfires: 126 Acres Burned: 29,073 Structures Lost: 40 Structures Saved: 1677