400-acre blaze 100% contained in Hays County

HAYS COUNTY — At approximately 3:13 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, Hays County and state agencies received a request for assistance on a fire burning north of San Marcos. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, caused by equipment use. Dozens of agencies would soon respond to a fire that, as of Thursday, Aug. 10, is still burning 400 acres in grass and brush fuels with 100% containment. According to Hays County officials, crews will be monitoring and patrolling containment lines on Tuesday, ensuring that hot sports are handled. Temporary Flight Restriction has been lifted over the area. Fire is staffed today with 35 personnel, cindluing two of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams and supporting personnel from the Texas A&M Forest Service and Hays County.

In the hours after the start of the Oak Grove Fire, the Texas A&M Forest Service, in unified command with Hays County emergency resources, struggled to fight the spreading blaze which continued to grow into the evening. The Oak Grove Fire was initially exhibiting moderate to extreme fire behaviors, making runs and spotting in several areas. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, Hays County Fire Marshal's Office and Hays County Office of Emergency Management (HCOEM), one residence and an unknown number of outbuildings were destroyed. Officials will continue to assess any further reports of damages.

As of 6:21 p.m. Saturday, nearly 100 acres were affected and the fire had crossed to the north side of the Blanco River. Dozers were on the ground constructing a fire line perimeter. According to  HCOEM, other agencies and resources were dispatched in response, including the following: TIFMAS, Hays County Wildland Task Force, Travis County Wildland Task Force, an emergency medical task force, air attack platform, two helicopters, four single engine air tankers, two super scooper planes and one large air tanker.

Approximately two and half hours later at 8:51 p.m., the Oak Grove Fire had grown to 300 acres with 10% containment. Hand crews were continuing to construct hand lines on the left flank while engine crews were protecting structures. And with those efforts, the fire activity diminished and forward progression was stopped.

Nearly 24 hours later at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, all air resources were released from the scene. Dozers constructed containment lines on the right flank while hand crews constructed fire lines on the left flank. By midnight, updated mapping showed that the fire was 400 acres and containment was 20%.

Dozers began wrapping up line construction for the night and all Texas A&M Forest Service and TIFMAS resources were released at 1 a.m. Local resources patrolled the area overnight.

“Crews made good progress on Sunday wrapping up on containment lines on the Oak Grove Fire south of the Blanco River,” said HCOEM officials.

On Monday morning, the Oak Grove Fire command was transferred to incident commander Dustin Dill. The dozer crews, engine crews and hand crews arrived on the scene at 9:30 a.m. and continued containment line construction, patrolling and heat suppression activities. Air resources, including a Texas A&M Forest Service air attack plane and Blackhawk helicopters, assisted with fire overview from the sky and water drops. At approximately 10 a.m., the Texas A&M Forest Service said crews would be prioritizing areas on the northern perimeter of the fire Monday where access is difficult due to rough terrain and dozers are unable to work. Two National Guard Blackhawk helicopters roared over the fire to provide bucket drops on flare-ups or other hotspots near the fire perimeter.

"The key for the containment of this fire was the teamwork with different agencies that worked together for long hours,” said Kyle Fire Department Chief Kyle Taylor. From KFD, one brush truck, one tender, two chief trucks and the TIFMAS strike team, which is currently deployed, responded to the Oak Grove Fire.

"Between the Texas A&M Forest Service, out-of-state firefighters on scene, TIFMAS resources and surrounding departments, we were able to put a stop to the fire growth."

Throughout the weekend, the Hays County community came together to support emergency responders by donating food, snacks, water and Gatorade.

Taylor thanked the community for the overwhelming support: "From local businesses donating dinner, to residents offering land for livestock, the community showed up not only for our first responders, but also for their neighbors,” he said.

Residents who lost their homes in the fire are also requesting the community’s support.

“Everything was destroyed and they have no way to replace what was lost,” GoFundMe organizer Randall Ferrell stated on the fundraising page. “Any help would be appreciated. Hays County is actively helping the family connect with resources, but the loss of their possessions will be difficult to recover from without additional support. Please help if you’re able.”

As of Monday, Aug. 7, nearly $2,000 was raised in one fundraiser (bit.ly/3s15elO), while another garnered $700 (bit.ly/44ZUhPY).

"We're also thankful for all the families that understood and evacuated their houses on time; because of you, we were able to concentrate the fire attack," said KFD Division Chief Freddy Rolon. “If you live close to any wildland border, prep a go-bag, pay attention to what the weather is doing and be ready to leave your house at a moment's notice.”

For more information about the Oak Grove Fire and to view updates, visit www.haysinformed.com.