400-acre wildfire causing mandatory evacuations in Bastrop County
BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — An "extremely active" wildfire in Bastrop County is causing mandatory evacuations Sunday, according to county officials.
The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management said the Hudston Fire is south of Park Road 1C. This is between Bastrop State Park and Buescher State Park.
The Texas A&M Forest Service estimated the fire at 400 acres with 10% containment as of 6:20 p.m. Officials said the Hudson Fire is moving north because of strong south winds.
Evacuation information
About 60 homes near the fire were evacuated, according to Texas A&M Forest Service. Of those, about 20 to 30 were directly threatened.
As of 3 p.m., evacuations are in place for residents on Highway 71 between Alum Creek to Goiter Trace and residents on Park Road 1C between Alum Creek Road and Cottletown Road.
Evacuees can shelter at the Smithville Recreation Center starting Sunday at 6:30 p.m. This is located at 106 Royston Street.
Bastrop County officials and Texas A&M Agrilife are making a plan for people with animals.
Wildfire battle
Park Road 1C and Goetier Trace are closed as of 4 p.m., according to Bastrop County. Texas A&M Forest Service officials said the fire jumped across Park Road 1C and into open fields.
Local emergency responders are expected to be on scene overnight, according to Bastrop County officials. Fire crews used heavy equipment to create containment lines on the southern border of the fire. Aviation crews also helped, and fire trucks protected threatened structures.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M Forest Service are also responding with heavy equipment and a helicopter.
This is a developing story and will be updated.