An estimated 700-acre forest fire continues to blaze through the area between Bastrop and Smithville, near Highway 71, forcing evacuations and highway closures.
As of Sunday morning, officials said the fire is about 50 percent contained, but wind speeds have dropped and firefighters have established perimeters.
The Department of Public Safety said it plans to send a helicopter to survey the progress.
Officials had said the blaze is one of the worst fires to rip through Bastrop County. Bastrop County Judge Ronnie McDonald declared Bastrop a disaster area.
The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office said the fire started at around 12:30 p.m., and it was likely a result of a down power line.
Officials said 23 homes were destroyed by the fire, while 80 homes were evacuated and 150 homes remain threatened by the fire. Several businesses were also destroyed, 13 outbuildings were destroyed and several cars.
 |  |
 | |  |
| | | | | | | |
Bastrop forest fire
View footage of the giant forest fire in Bastrop.
 
Judge Ronnie McDonald
Bastrop County Judge Ronnie McDonald talks about the resolve of the Bastrop community.
Battle continues
Firefighters continue to battle the fire overnight.
| | |
| | | | | |
|
Thirty homes (of the 80 total) were evacuated in the Smithville West subdivision, at Keller and Powell roads. Evacuees were transferred to First Baptist Church in Smithville and the Heart of Pines Fire Station in Bastrop County.
Early Saturday afternoon, officials closed Hwy 71 Eastbound and Westbound as firefighters fought the large forest fire at Cottletown Road and Hwy 71, located between Bastrop and Smithville. Traffic was being turned around at Ponderosa Road and Hwy 71, a couple miles before the fire scene.
Emergency crews said the fire jumped from the north to the south side of the highway and billows of smoke could be seen from miles back.
Air tankers were flying by and are dropping water on the forest fire.
As of 7:30 p.m. Saturday winds were still blowing up to 40 mph, making it a challenge for firefighters to battle the fire.
She said one firefighter suffered from smoke inhalation injuries.
Meteorologist Adam Krueger said it's a worse case scenario, since Bastrop County is one of the driest counties in the state of Texas. The ground is very dry and a wind advisory warning is in effect.
As of Sunday morning, wind speeds dropped to 20 mph.
Stay with News 8 to stay up to date on this developing story.
