Central Texas firefighters are battling a massive wildfire north of Fredericksburg that has consumed 9,737 acres since it began Saturday afternoon. Designated by the Texas A&M Forest Service as the Crabapple Fire, it has produced thick clouds of smoke as far east as Round Rock and has forced the evacuation of at least 500 people.
According to the Forest Service Incident Information X account as of Monday, officials reported that the fire was 65% contained, but the firefighters continued their efforts to subdue the flames. A disaster proclamation signed by Gillespie County Judge Daniel Jones has authorized road closures and emergency evacuations, and utilities have been cut off to the region. The Federal Aviation Administration also implemented a temporary flight restriction above the region.
Update: the #CrabappleFire in Gillespie County is 9,737 acres and 65% contained. Increased in acreage due to more accurate mapping. Crews continue to mop up across the fire area and will work to widen and improve containment lines today. #txfire
— Incident Information – Texas A&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) March 17, 2025
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A temporary center has been set up at Faith Baptist Church on State Highway 16 for evacuees, and aid is being coordinated with the establishment of the Crabapple Fire Relief Fund. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved funding to meet the cost of fighting the fires, reimbursing up to 75% of eligible costs.
As wildfire conditions continue to be extreme across Texas—where seven active fires are burning across more than 33,000 acres—the National Weather Service is alerting the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid any activity that could start new fires.
Texas A&M Forest Service: Fire conditions remain dangerous
According to Erin O’Connor, lead public information officer for the Texas A&M Forest Service, weather conditions have played a significant role in fueling the fires.
“A post-frontal environment featuring critical fire weather aligned with critically dry vegetation supported the potential for wildfire activity in South Texas on Saturday,” O’Connor told the Shield. “This is a continuation of the already hot and dry conditions the state has been experiencing over the past few weeks.”
With wildfires becoming increasingly common, officials are urging residents to take preventive measures. O’Connor emphasized the importance of wildfire preparedness, pointing to resources available through the Texas A&M Forest Service.
“We encourage homeowners to take precautions before a wildfire occurs,” O’Connor said. “We have some great resources on our website: Texas A&M Forest Service – Protect Your Home.”
She also emphasized the need for an evacuation plan, including identifying multiple exit routes and having a go-bag ready in case of an emergency. More information on evacuation preparedness is available at Ready.gov.
As firefighting efforts continue, local officials are reminding residents to stay alert and follow all safety advisories.
West Texas faces extreme winds and dust storms amid fire season
While Central Texas is facing the Crabapple fire, West Texas is also at high risk for fire due to recent environmental factors. Katie Lakey, medical student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, described how severe dust storms and extreme winds have contributed to the increased wildfire risk in the region.
“Every spring, west Texas has dust storms, but this year’s were different. A few days ago, there was zero visibility when driving. I could barely see the hood of my car,” Lakey told the Shield. “My home has a layer of dirt over every surface and now I lay wet towels at the bottom of my doors and windows to help keep the dust out.”
Lakey described the impact of these conditions on daily life. “There was also a 50-car pile-up on the highway caused by the low visibility. When the dust does settle, I can see large smoke fog rising up in the distance when driving on the outskirts of the city,” Lakey said.
While noting that many residents continued their daily lives during the dust storms, Lakey emphasized the effects in hospitals.
“As a medical student, I have seen numerous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma exacerbations in the hospital where patients are coming in through the emergency department in respiratory distress,” Lakey said.
The strong winds, reaching speeds up to 80 miles per hour, have only worsened conditions.
“It has tipped multiple 16-wheelers, thrown street signs across the road, and knocked down many fences,” Lakey said. “It even slung my little car a few lanes over on the highway on my way to work. The wind and dry conditions are certainly associated with the wildfires.”
East Texas remains on alert amid high winds
In East Texas, residents are staying vigilant as dry conditions and strong winds continue to pose a wildfire threat. Tyler resident Melissa Marts emphasized the importance of proactive fire prevention, especially in unincorporated areas where residents must work closely with local fire departments.
“Our neighborhood is in an unincorporated area of Tyler, Texas,” Marts told the Shield. “This means we have to be especially vigilant and work directly with the Smith County Fire Department. We keep our yard and the area behind our property mowed and landscaped weekly. We work with Oncor and the county engineers when we see overgrown areas that need attention to reduce our risk.”
While wildfire risk in the area has remained minimal so far, Marts has noted that high winds have been a major factor this spring. However, recent rainfall has helped mitigate some of the dangers.
Residents in Tyler are staying informed through local news sources such as KETK and using community resources like SmithCountyFire.org to monitor conditions.
As wildfires continue to take their toll on regions of Texas, incorporating wildfire prevention strategies, staying updated with changing conditions, and utilizing available resources can reduce the impact of wildfires.
This story was originally published on The Shield Online on March 17, 2025.