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Dry grass, high winds, low humidity create ‘perfect conditions’ for blaze
SMITHVILLE — Local and state-deployed first responders rushed to control a fast-moving wildfire that spread Sunday afternoon northwest of the city and continued into the week, prompting evacuations and road closures as it ignited over 400 acres.
As of press time early Tuesday, first responders said they had contained about 60% of the blaze, dubbed the Hudson Fire. No injuries have been reported.
The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management and other officials reported the blaze began about 1:50 p.m. south of Park Road 1C after a structure caught fire.
In response, the Bastrop County Sheriff ’s Office issued precautionary evacuation orders for residents near Alum Creek Road and Cottletown Road as the conf lagration rapidly spread.
By 8 p.m. Sunday, the Hudson Fire reached 400 acres, only 10% contained.
“It ’s all the perfect conditions,” Elgin Firefighter Curtis Craig said. “Every department in the county responded.”
Brisk winds, dry grass and low humidity are all factors that contribute to rapidly moving wildfires, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Brief showers Sunday and during the day Monday did little to douse the fire, officials said, though a line of showers moved through the region Monday night.
“Just because it showered people think we’re safe, we’re not,” Craig added Monday.
Over 90 state personnel and 60 state assets were dispatched at the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott to aid in local containment efforts.
“The state of Texas continues to deploy all available resources to protect Texans in Bastrop County from the Hudson Fire,” Abbott said in a prepared release. “The safety and well-being of our fellow Texans is our No. 1 priority as this dangerous wildfire persists. We urge Texans to regularly monitor wildfire conditions and heed the guidance of local officials and emergency personnel to protect yourselves and your loved ones.”
The Texas Division of Emergency Management mobilized emergency personnel to support local requests and manage state resources, according to the governor.
The Forest Service sent firefighters, bulldozers and federally contracted aircraft, including super scoopers, single-engine air tankers, an air-attack platform and a helicopter for fire control, along with Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System strike teams, officials said.
The Department of Public Safety dispatched highway patrol troopers and a firefighting helicopter, while the Texas Department of State Health Services provided wildland fire support packages with medics, ambulances and all-terrain vehicles, according to first responders.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department also sent game wardens, state park police and a firefighting helicopter, and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service deployed disaster and recovery agents to assist with animal evacuation and sheltering.
Abbott issued a disaster declaration last month for 143 counties, including Bastrop County, in response to rising wildfire danger and activity across the state, with provisions to add more counties as conditions require.
“The state assets make a huge dif ference,” Craig said.
As the fire intensified, about 65 homes were reportedly evacuated, 20 of which were considered threatened, according to officials.
Evacuation notices extended from Texas 71 at Alum Creek north to Gotier Trace, adding to the initial alerts issued along Park Road 1C.
The Smithville Recreation Center opened its doors for anyone displaced by the fire. A temporary animal shelter was also established at Mayfest Park.
At deadline, improved containment has allowed fire management to lift evacuation notices for residents along Gotier Trace Road and Park Road 1C. Road closures remain in place.
“The state of Texas continues to deploy all available resources to protect Texans in Bastrop County from the Hudson Fire.”
— Gov. Greg Abbott
