Smoke Rider Fire: Blanco County fire's forward progression stopped, 60% contained

BLANCO, Texas - Multiple agencies are on the scene of a large vegetation fire on FM 165 in the area of Las Colinas Drive in Blanco County near the Hays County line. As of August 3 around 3 p.m., officials estimate the fire has burned about 800 acres and is 60% contained. 

Blanco County Emergency Management said that the forward progression of what's being called the Smoke Rider Fire has been stopped, and the containment line is progressing well.

Both US Highway 290 and RR 165 are open, and no additional evacuations have been ordered.

Task forces with firefighters from Blanco, Hays, and Travis Counties remain on scene as well as dozers and ground crews from the Texas A&M Forest Service.

The Texas A&M Forest Service has confirmed that the fire jumped US 290 and spread north. US 290 was closed near the intersection with FM 3232, and FM 165 was shut down. The Forest Service said that as of 8:58 p.m. on August 1, fire activity had significantly diminished.

Photo from James Hudson of Smoke Rider Fire from Longhorn River Ranch.

Additional assets are expected to continue working on containment. Public Information Officer with the Texas A&M Forest Service Walter Flocke said yesterday there were seven fix-winged helicopters and three helicopters at the scene.

Flocke added that the bone-dry grass and brush, and windy conditions have fueled the flames, making containment a challenge. 

"Any spark right now with the conditions we’re seeing is capable of starting a wildfire, potentially a large wildfire," said Flocke. 

30 structures, the majority of them being homes, in the area were under mandatory evacuations. Three residential structures and one occupied trailer were lost Tuesday.

"It’s scary, and it makes you worry about what’s going to happen and who’s in it and are they going to get out or ignore it. I mean first thing you do is you get out. Take whatever kind of belonging you have and go," said Elie Wehbe, who lives nearby.

Flocke says it's critical that people heed all evacuations. 

"Oh it’s very important. Even just a voluntary evacuation, we strongly urge folks to get to a safe place. It makes it that much easier for our responders to not put themselves in unnecessary harm’s way," said Flocke.

So far no injuries have been reported and it is currently unclear what sparked the fire.

A temporary evacuation center has been set up at Blanco Methodist Church at 61 Pecan Street. Updates on evacuations can be found here.

Pedernales Falls State Park posted on social media that it is now closed due to the fire. Roads leading into the park have smoke going across and first responders are staging along those same roads.

Despite other wildfires burning across Central Texas, officials say they do have the resources they need, and they'll likely be here for the long haul. 

"Even once the forward progression of this fire has been stopped, it’ll be probably days’ worth of staying on scene, monitoring it, mopping up," said Flocke. 

This story is developing. Check back for updates.