Watch live: Officials address Bastrop wildfire that has displaced hundreds of residents
What likely began as a prescribed burn across 150 acres of land in Bastrop County State Park spiraled out of control on Tuesday, evacuating more than 250 families and scorching more than 780 acres. The wildfire is still classified as "very active" and only 30% has been contained as of Wednesday morning.
Photos: Fire and smoke seen as wildfire burns near Bastrop, Texas
Following a livestream Tuesday night, state and local leaders will hold a press conference at 9 a.m. Wednesday to offer updates and more information on the situation. Watch the press conference live here:
According to Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape, Texas parks department and fire management officials who orchestrated the prescribed burn followed correct safety protocols. However, when the wind picked up and registered gusts ranging from 30 to 40 mph that afternoon, the fire spread rapidly to surrounding areas.
Increased wildfire warnings had been issued to the area days before the fire broke out due to warm and dry weather conditions. Officials said Tuesday that dozens of fire and public safety agencies are working on containing the blaze.
Grace Griffin is a digital producer for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at ggriffin@gannett.com or on Twitter @GraceMGriffin.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Watch live: Officials give status update on fire in Bastrop, TX
