One Week In, Hidden Pines Fire About 80% Contained, Still Threatens 95 Homes

The Hidden Pines Fire in Bastrop County started one week ago today. Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape said Tuesday morning that the fire is 80 percent contained and has burned about 4,600 acres. Sixty-eight homes have been lost, and 95 are currently threatened. 

Some residents are being allowed to return to evacuated areas — the addresses of 380-500 Old Antioch reopened Monday afternoon, and if residents don't have proof of address to reenter evacuated areas can to to Bluebonnet Bastrop Member Services to provide information and receive proof of address. Officials say that they're gradually reopening neighborhoods and affected areas.

The Bastrop County Sheriff’s office says residents who had to evacuate can pick up their mail at the Smithville Post Office. For residents whose homes lost power during the fire,

Smithville school district students who've been displaced by the fires can catch buses at alternate locations, a schedule of which can be found here.

Although some residents are reentering formerly evacuated areas and most of the roads that were shut down have reopened, Buescher State Park, which was shut down shortly after the fire broke out, remains closed through Friday.

"And so, without authorization, it will be violation of the law for any person to be on Buescher State Park property or Park Road 1C, up to Alum Creek," said Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape on Monday.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday predicted a chance for showers all week in the Bastrop area.

Credit National Weather Service