Horseshoe Bay fire starts at golf course and burns 52 acres
FROM STAFF REPORTS
HORSESHOE BAY — Horseshoe Bay Fire Department crews as well as several other agencies battled a blaze July 31 that burned 52 acres and sent a reminder of just how dry conditions are in the Highland Lakes.
“The (spring rain and early summer rains) definitely has added more fuel out there,” said Horseshoe Bay Fire Department Interim Chief Stephanie Black. “The grasses are taller in places than they normally would be, and with the heat and the wind, they’re just so dry.”
Firefighters responded to a brush fire about 5 p.m. July 31 after somebody reported one at the Summit Rock golf course. Black said they haven’t determined the cause of the fire, but it apparently started between holes No. 4 and No. 5.
Firefighters faced challenging obstacles regarding the geography.
“The fire was running up and down hills,” Black said. “It’s a very rocky area, so it would go into areas it was difficult to get vehicles into. As the name Summit Rock suggests, there were some huge rocks out there.”
The fire units contained the blaze by about 11 p.m., the chief said. Most units were released, but a Horseshoe Bay crew stayed on scene through the night. On Aug. 1, Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department units returned alongside the Horseshoe Bay crew to monitor the area and put out hotspots and flare-ups. Black said the Marble Falls Area VFD was released at 5 p.m. with Horseshoe Bay continuing to monitor the area until Sunday morning when the fire was declared out.
Though the fire did threaten some structures, Black said none were damaged.
There also were no injuries, she added.
With little or no rain in July and weather officials saying the hot and dry pattern will continue through at least the next week, Black said people need to remain vigilant when doing anything outside that could cause a fire.
“If you smoke, make sure that you extinguish your cigarette fully and dispose of it properly. If you’re welding, have water standing by,” she said. “Even if your barbecuing, make sure the ashes are completely cool, and it’s also a good idea to have a water supply nearby in case something does happen.”
And it’s a good idea to have a cell phone within reach if a fire does break out to call the fire department.
Currently, Llano and Burnet counties have outdoor burning bans in place. Most municipalities require a permit for outdoor burning. Any questions regarding outdoor burning or outdoor fires should be directed to the municipality or county in which a person resides.
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