Austin City Council extends disaster declaration over wildfires, dry conditions

Ella McCarthy, Austin American-Statesman
·2 min read

The Austin City Council on Tuesday approved an extension to a disaster declaration issued last week due to ongoing concerns about wildfires and dry conditions in the area.

"A disaster declaration helps us to be further prepared in the event of a wildfire and the damage that results from it, the declaration allows us to move quickly and access the necessary resources to help us recover," Watson said in a news release on Aug. 15 when the disaster declaration was first issued.

Though it rained in Austin on Tuesday afternoon, an Austin fire official said earlier in the day that the amount would not be enough to offset the dry conditions.

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"Despite today's highly anticipated possibility of rain, it is very small, and we will still and continue to be in a very elevated wildfire risk," Andre de la Reza with the Austin Fire Department said at the council meeting.

Wildfires have recently popped up across the city and surrounding counties. The Powder Keg Fire near Bastrop State Park burned nearly 117 acres; the Oak Grove Fire in Hays County grew to 400 acres, evacuating several homes and destroying the home of 75-year-old Army veteran Michael Hinz; and a fire in Cedar Park destroyed an apartment building.

Wildfire in Cedar Park Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.
Wildfire in Cedar Park Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.

"We need people to properly dispose of their cigarettes, their oil- or grease-soaked rags, don't park your vehicle on dry grass, and please, please follow burn bans," Watson said during the council meeting on Tuesday.

He also recommended Austinites sign up for WarnCentralTexas alerts and to have "go-bags" packed.

"Think of the five P's" when packing a go-bag, Watson said: people, pets, prescriptions, personal items and papers.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown also issued a disaster declaration for Travis County on Aug. 15, not long after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued disaster declarations due to wildfires for nearly 200 counties in Texas.

To prevent wildfires, the Texas A&M Forest Service recommends individuals:

  • Avoid burning trash, leaves and brush on dry, windy days.

  • Check for local bans on outdoor burning.

  • Stay with outdoor fires until they are completely out.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin City Council extends disaster declaration over wildfires