BUDA, Texas — The Hays County Sheriff's Office says that first responders were working to put out a grass fire in Buda. The fire was estimated at around 90 acres.
The fire, which is now being called the Armbruster fire, was reported on FM 967 near Coves of Cimarron in Buda. That's in northwest Buda off of FM 1626.
Fire crews from all over Hays County took part in the efforts, as well as STAR Flight. Helicopters and small planes are assisting in the response. San Marcos, Kyle, Wimberley, Manchaca and Hays County officials were among the crews who helped the Buda Fire Department in their response.
The Texas A&M Forest Service was also called in to help put out the fire as the flames burn through a wooded area, making it hard for engines and hoses alone to manage the fire. The forest service brought in bulldozers and air support to help battle the flames.
As of Sunday morning, it is 95% contained. Crews will remain on scene to monitor hotspots.
No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported. Buda Fire Chief Clay Huckaby said Dove Drive has served as a barrier between the fire and developments in the area.
"Right now we’re looking good with the conditions and the way things are developing," Huckaby said Wednesday.
Roads were reopened in the area Wednesday to allow residents back to their homes after first being turned away from entering neighborhoods near the fire.
According to Huckaby, the fire started when workers in the area backed a trailer into a guide wire for a telephone pole causing the pole to shake and make lines touch. Sparks erupted from the lines and started the fire.
Walter Flocke, a spokesperson for the Texas A&M Forest Service, said conditions made it easy for fires to start and spread.
"This is the most activity that we’ve seen in the past couple of years for sure. It compares to some other years, but we’re not quite as bad as we were in years like 2011. We’re not at the same numbers for acres burned or amount of fires," Flocke said.
Flocke added that as of July 22, the Texas A&M Forest Service had responded to 6,809 wildfires in 2022. Two-hundred of those fires were in the past seven days.
Hays County officials originally stated that evacuation orders were issued out of an abundance of caution and reverse 911 calls were being made, however, they later clarified that they were incorrect in stating so.
A temporary shelter was set up at Hays Hills Baptist Church at 1401 N. FM 2626 in Buda.
Meanwhile, fire crews also fought a 30-acre fire near Hornsby Bend on Wednesday afternoon. STAR Flight was on the scene assisting by conducting water drops at the scene at 13404 FM 969, behind Sunbelt Rentals.
That fire was threatening some structures and a small number of evacuations were ordered, according to Travis County ESD 12. No homes were affected.
Evacuees were taken to Gilbert Elementary School and some livestock were moved to safety, ESD 12 said.
Residents were expected to be permitted back into their homes before 6 p.m. Crews will remain on the scene for several hours to monitor.
The Hornsby Bend fire was about 80% contained as of 4:15 p.m. Wednesday.
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