Read the latest updates on the Powder Keg Pine fire in our Wednesday story.
A wildfire on the south side of Bastrop State Park forced the evacuation of nearby homes and businesses, the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office says. In a 9:19 p.m. Tuesday update, the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management said evacuees can return home.
The sheriff's office said in a tweet that multiple agencies responded to the fire Tuesday afternoon along westbound State Highway 71 near Harmon Road — around four miles east of downtown Bastrop. Evacuation orders, when they were in effect, stretched from Harmon Road to Pine Hill Loop.
The Texas A&M Forest Service website shows the wildfire, named the Powder Keg Pine fire, is about 100 acres in size and 50% contained as of 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Austin Fire Department says it sent multiple units to help fight the fire, alongside Travis County emergency service districts, and expects to stay until around 9 p.m.
AFD shared video taken from a Travis County STAR Flight helicopter showing how close the fire got to buildings.
Aerial view of Powder Keg Pine fire in Bastrop County courtesy of @TC_Fire_Rescue Fire Chief Ken Bailey taken from Star Flight helicopter. pic.twitter.com/SewHkQZONQ
— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) August 1, 2023
Video posted to Twitter shows black smoke billowing next to Parabellum Research, a small arms manufacturer.
Big fire just east of Bastrop on the north side of US 71 about 2 PM today August 1, 2023 #fire #bastropfire #texas #forestfire #brushfire #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/f4sqCOurhE
— John O'Connell (@johnocomedy) August 1, 2023
Huge fire out in Bastrop, TX pic.twitter.com/WhFHZITJgl
— bdawg (@bdawghtx) August 1, 2023
This story has been updated.
