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‘The conditions are dry and ripe for a wildfire’

A helicopter assists with dousing the Flatrock Fire near Spicewood. Photo contributed by Spicewood Fire Rescue Captain Andrew Hunt

Firefighters across the Highland Lakes have been consistently battling blazes for the last four days. Emergency management coordinators in Burnet and Llano counties are warning of the high wildfire risk and the importance of adhering to the current burn bans in place. 

The 300-acre Saxon Fire in eastern Burnet County sparked off days of firefighting from first responders on Sunday, Aug. 9, which was eventually contained by Monday, Aug. 10. It was followed on Tuesday by the Flatrock Fire near Spicewood and the Sandy Harbor Fire in Llano County, which were mostly contained by 11 a.m. on Wednesday. 

“The conditions are dry and ripe for a wildfire,” Llano County Emergency Management Coordinator Gilbert Bennett told DailyTrib. “Please be careful.”

Bennett said that the 9-acre Sandy Harbor Fire was caused by a lawnmower, which likely sparked after hitting a rock or other object in the grass. 

The Saxon Fire and the Flatrock Fire were both started by outdoor burning that was done despite the current burn ban according to Burnet County Emergency Management Coordinator Ed Hashbarger.

“Right now, our county is very dry,” he said. “Fire activity is increasing at a quick pace and it will only get more dry.”

Hashbarger noted that the windy conditions and prevalence of large amounts of vegetation left behind by a rainy spring have created prime fire conditions as temperatures rise. 

“Please adhere to the burn ban,” he added. “Stay weather aware. Know that your area is at high risk.”

dakota@thepicayune.com 

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