BURNET COUNTY, Texas — The North End Fire Task Force and multiple neighboring fire departments are responding to a 737-acre fire in Burnet County, according to the Burnet County Sheriff's Office. It is currently at an 80 percent containment level.
BCSO said the wildfire is west of County Road 108 and north of Burnet. According to BCSO, no one is being evacuated and residents are asked not to call about the status of the fire.
Mark Smith lives on one of the properties in the area, and has been helping firefighters navigate through the charred ranch land. He's lived in Burnet County his entire life, and shared he's only experienced a fire like this once, 20 years ago. His home, family and livestock are all fine, for which he credits to the quick response time from all the area and volunteer fire departments.
"All the little communities around, it was great turnout for such rough country," Smith said. "It's very limited access and they're doing such a great job of getting where they need to be."
Although the fire has burned an estimated 800 acres at this time, after looking around, Smith said he fears it looks like it will turn out to be a lot more. In addition to the rough terrain, the heat and dryness makes the job for firefighters especially difficult.
"No rain has hurt us," he said. "The lack of rain, so all this country back here where the grass has burned off is going to take a rain. If it rained today, it would still be two-three weeks before it'll sprout up."
Smith, however, remains hopeful.
"The cattle are on short pastures anywhere, so where they were going to graze is not there anymore, but all this burned cactus, they'll eat it. Mother Nature will get it back right."
The Fox Real Estate Group in Burnet is taking donations for firefighters from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at 605 North Water St. They are asking for the following items:
- Water
- Gatorade
- Chapstick
- Cooling rags
- Snacks
A KVUE viewer captured a few photos of the fire and shared them on Twitter.