Bastrop County Hit with Another Forest Fire

On Tuesday, October 13th, a fire was reported just north of Smithville, Texas in Bastrop County.  So far, that fire, named the Hidden Pines Fire, has engulfed nearly 400 acres. 

During the noon press conference at noon on Wednesday, officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced that the fire is about 50% contained.  This fire, thankfully, pales in comparison to the massive fire that charred forestland in Bastrop County in 2011.  That fire consumed nearly 35,000 acres and destroyed nearly 1400 homes.

So far, the Hidden Pines Fire has forced the evacuation of a couple dozen families and just a few county roads have been closed.  Low humidity and very little Summer and early Fall precipitation have led to the ripe conditions for the spread of this fire.  However, authorities are confident that they will soon have this fire 100% contained.  But, unless a good amount of rain falls soon, more fires in the region are expected.