FREDERICKSBURG, Texas – Updated at 5:10 p.m. Monday.
The Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County has burned 9,737 acres and is 65% contained, according to Texas A&M Forest Service and the City of Fredericksburg.
Multiple fire departments and crews from across the region, state and nation started battling the large fire at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday in the 8700 block of Lower Crabapple Road, north of Fredericksburg.
>> TIMELINE: What we know about Gillespie County’s Crabapple Fire
The affected area stretches from Lower Crabapple to Farm-to-Market Road 1631.
In an update on Monday, a press release from the City of Fredericksburg said one firefighter was injured Sunday night after a tree limb fell. The firefighter was taken to the hospital, treated and released.
“Crews worked the edges of the fire and any flare-ups during the night,” Fredericksburg Fire Chief Lynn Bizzell said in the release. “The southeast corner of the affected area is our focus today with the forecasted wind. Many trees are still burning throughout the area and dropping embers into unburned areas, which with today’s conditions could ignite more fire.”
A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, with anticipated south winds of 10-20 mph, gusts reaching up to 35 mph, and low humidity levels ranging from 10-20%.
Kiley Moran from the Texas A&M Forest Service told KSAT on Sunday that there is currently no estimated timeframe for when the fire could be extinguished.
“With a fire of this size, it’s most likely going to be several days before it gets to 100%” contained,” he said.
Numerous structures have been destroyed, and “more are still threatened,” the City of Fredericksburg said Sunday.
There are no air quality concerns at this time.
Shelter opens amid evacuations
Gillespie County Judge Daniel Jones on Saturday issued a declaration of disaster, allowing officials to evacuate, close roads and control ingress and egress as needed, the city said.
On Saturday, the Fredericksburg Fire EMS said anyone between Highway 16 North and FM 1631 and between Ranch Road 1323 and Ranch Road 2721 should be prepared to evacuate.
The evacuations are on a home-by-home basis.
In an update from the City of Fredericksburg on Sunday, officials said they “do not have an estimation on the people evacuated or displaced at this time.”
How to help
Food, water and other supply donations are not needed as of Monday morning.
The City of Fredericksburg said the Crabapple Fire significantly affected ranchers and livestock owners in Gillespie County.
To support recovery efforts, the Gillespie County Fairgrounds at 530 Fair Drive in Fredericksburg is serving as a collection point for hay, feed, and fencing supplies for impacted cattle, sheep, and goats.
Donations can also be coordinated through Behrends Feed & Fertilizer, Lochte Feed and General Store, and Allied Ag Services Inc.
For more information, contact 830-988-6173.
Streets reopen
As of 7:30 a.m. Monday, all roads have reopened to any necessary travel.
“As crews continue to work, everyone is asked to avoid the area unless it is necessary,” a news release states. ”People traveling through the area should listen to crews on the ground about access. People that have evacuated there home should not return yet.”
Windy conditions fueled the fire, Texas A&M Forest Service says
Moran told KSAT Saturday that the wind made it difficult to control the wildfire.
Moran indicated that windy conditions are expected to persist over the next few days and urged the public to help prevent potential fire hazards.
“Please don’t do anything that may cause heat or spark so that these wildfires don’t happen,” Moran said. “Because as we’ve seen, they grow very quickly.”
The City of Fredericksburg previously said Central Texas Electric cut the power to the fire-affected area as a precaution.
Kendall County has sent crews from Alamo Springs, Sisterdale, Boerne and the Kendall County Emergency Management Office to fight the flames.
The Boerne Fire Department is also assisting crews at the scene.
This is a developing story. KSAT will update you once more information becomes available.
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