Hudson Fire sparked by structure fire in Bastrop County
BASTROP COUNTY, Texas - The Hudson Fire continued to burn in Bastrop County on Monday, as crews made progress toward containing it. However, there are concerns about the impact of potential severe weather on the fire, which is centered about eight miles east of the city of Bastrop.
On Monday, fire officials confirmed the wildfire was sparked by a structure fire on Sunday, Nov. 3, possibly a shed that caught fire. However, no additional structures have been damaged as a result of the wildfire.
As of late Monday, Nov. 4, at 5:30 p.m., the fire has burned about 400 acres and is 50% contained.
Firefighters from several departments and the Texas A&M Forest Service made major headway overnight and into Monday, as they worked to contain the fire.
"Crews were able to construct a bulldozer line around the entirety of the fire perimeter," said Kari Hines, public information officer with the Texas A&M Forest Service.
"We had over 90 different personnel from just state agencies and that is, of course, on top of the local responders that were here as well from area fire departments. Today, we have closer to about 60 firefighters on scene. We do have two helicopters and an air attack as well," Hines added.
After windy conditions hampered efforts by fanning the flames on Sunday, the weather actually helped the situation early Monday morning.
"We did get up to 100% humidity and saw fire behavior drastically decrease overnight, which is one of the reasons we were able to make really good progress on containment," said Hines.
Fire crews worked on mop-up throughout the day Monday, as well as containing the area.
On Monday, at 6:30 p.m., fire management lifted the evacuation notice for residences along Gotier Trace Road and homes off of Park Road 1C between Alum Creek and Cottletown, except for the homes off of Pines Park Drive. Residents will need proof of residency to gain access to the area.
"For residents who are evacuated, fire managers would like you to know that we know it is difficult to be away from your home. We are doing everything possible to get you back into your house as quickly as possible," said Hines.
"I was a little frustrated that they wouldn't let me through because it was less than a mile up the road from here," says Bastrop resident Will Sellers.
While containment efforts have been successful so far, the big wild card is the weather, with potentially severe storms moving through Monday evening.
"With the pop-up thunderstorms, potentially, we're looking at gusty and erratic wind and that can lead to the fire doing things that are harder for us to anticipate," said Hines.
As a result, the Forest Service has brought in aircraft that remain on standby, along with crews brought in from elsewhere in the state.
"We aren't 100% positive that that bulldozer line will hold if pushed by active fire behavior later in the day," said Hines.
What we know about Hudson Fire
The Texas A&M Forest Service first reported the Hudson Fire at 50 acres at around 2 p.m. on November 3.
The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management says that at about 3:25 p.m. on November 3, the fire jumped Park Road C.
Evacuations were put in place for residents in several areas, including:
- 400 block of Gotier Trace Road to Alum Creek
- SH 71 at Alum Creek north to Gotier Trace Road
- Park Road 1C between Alum Creek and Cottletown
Park Road C and Gotier Trace Road have been closed. According to FOX 7 Austin's Lauren Rangel, 40 to 50 people have been evacuated so far.
Photo courtesy Texas A&M Fire Service.
Bastrop County Animal Services has a temporary animal shelter for dogs, cats, and other small animals at Mayfest Park. The Bastrop County Agrilife Extension is also coordinating efforts for livestock assistance also at Mayfield Park.
Residents who need help and clarification can call:
- 512-549-5160 for livestock related questions
- 512-521-3001 for general information
TFS confirmed on social media that the Hudson Fire is burning in the "fire scar" of the 2011 Bastrop County Complex fire and the 2015 Hidden Pines Fire.