FREDRICKSBURG, Texas – Fire Departments from across Gillespie Count are actively working to contain a large grass fire North of Fredericksburg.
The fire started around 1 p.m. on Saturday near the 8700 block of Lower Crabapple. It has grown from 400 acres to 8,640 acres, with zero percent containment.
Dozens of homes have been evacuated, and the Red Cross and volunteers have shown up at some of the shelters set up for those affected. Currently, State Highway 16 North is closed from Fredericksburg city limits to Eckert Road. Lower Crabapple Road is also closed from Eckert Road into Fredericksburg.
Sean Doerre, the public information officer for the city of Fredericksburg says several law enforcement agencies are helping with evacuations as flames rage closer to homes in several neighborhoods.
The Fredericksburg Texas fire department is leading efforts but at least six volunteer fire departments in Gillespie County are helping. “Really just a regional effort along with the Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Texas A&M forest service providing air support.”
We spoke to a man who doesn’t want his name mentioned but has lived in the city of Fredericksburg his entire life and says he’s seen several large fires in the area before, the last one in 2022. “Oh yeah, all the surrounding volunteer fire departments always come.”
Support from surrounding fire departments and counties, according to the man, put him at ease and he doesn’t fear the city of Fredericksburg, or his home will be affected. “No, no, it’ll never make it to town. They’ll get it out way before then.”
Sean Doerre confirms right now there is no fear those flames will get closer to the city of Fredericksburg.
While we were at the fire station, we saw units and firefighters from Llano, Blanco, and Kerrville.
There were several community members dropping off pallets of bottled water and snacks for the firefighters working to contain the blaze.
Gillespie County Judge Daniel Jones has issued a declaration of disaster and asks everyone to avoid the area.
If anyone has been displaced, a shelter is through the Red Cross at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg at 426 W. Main St.
