LOCAL

An 103-acre fire in Smithville is 80% contained, officials say

Austin American-Statesman

A log burns in the Hidden Shores Fire in Smithville on Monday July 18, 2022. The fire on FM 2571 grew to more than 100 acres before it was contained, said Texas A&M Forest Service Public Information Officer Kimberly Kaschalk. The cause of the fire was welding. Nobody was injured and no structures were damaged.

A fire in Smithville that has burned over 100 acres is 80% contained, Bastrop County emergency management officials said Monday evening.

Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 2 reported Monday afternoon that its firefighters, along with those from Emergency Services District No. 1, Heart of the Pines Volunteer Fire Dept. and Texas A&M Forest Service, were asked to respond to a large brush fire estimated to be around 50 acres at the time in Smithville’s Hidden Shores area.

By 4 p.m. firefighters had stopped the fire’s forward progression and had it 30% contained. Ultimately the fire grew to 103 acres.

Officials have not publicly released a cause for the fire and did not report any injuries or homes burned.

A firefighter with the Heart of Pines Fire Department extinguishes the Hidden Shores Fire in Smithville on Monday July 18, 2022. The fire on FM 2571 grew to more than 100 acres before it was contained, said Texas A&M Forest Service Public Information Officer Kimberly Kaschalk. The cause of the fire was welding. Nobody was injured and no structures were damaged.

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Cattle stand in a burned field at the Hidden Shores Fire in Smithville on Monday July 18, 2022. The fire on FM 2571 grew to more than 100 acres before it was contained, said Texas A&M Forest Service Public Information Officer Kimberly Kaschalk. The cause of the fire was welding. Nobody was injured and no structures were damaged.