Firefighters have the 8,640-acre wildfire northeast of Fredericksburg 40% contained and finished building a fireline from Highway 16 to County Road 1631, officials said Sunday morning.
"Engine crews continue structure protection," the Texas A&M Forest Service said at 5:33 a.m. "Firefighters continue to build line and increasing containment."
The fire was declared a disaster Saturday, prompting evacuations as the fire crossed Highway 16 and headed east toward FM 1631, officials said.
“Anyone in the path should evacuate immediately,” officials posted on social media about 4 p.m.
Seven people, including a family and two French tourists, evacuated to Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg late Saturday.
About 500 people were displaced by the wildfire that officials have named the Crabapple Fire, Austin news station KXAN reported.
In a 10 p.m. update Saturday, officials reported the fire was zero contained. They said the fire is generally still moving east to southeast and is located between Lower Crabapple and FM1631.
“Thankfully, the wind has subsided in the Texas Hill Country and our crews are working to stop the forward progress of the Crabapple Fire,” Fredericksburg Fire Chief Lynn Bizzell said. “Our team will continue to work throughout the night, including monitoring FM1631 to make sure the fire doesn’t progress.”
Currently, Highway 16 North to Llano is closed at Knopp School Road and Highway 16. Eckert Road and Highway 16 heading south to Fredericksburg is also closed, the Gillespie County Sheriff's Office said early Sunday morning.
Highway 16 North from the Fredericksburg city limits to Eckert Road, as well as Lower Crabapple from Eckert Road into Fredericksburg may still be closed, the sheriff's office said.
"Some residents have experienced loss of property and homes," the sheriff's office said. "Prayers for those families who have a long road ahead of them."
As a precautionary effort, Central Texas Electric has cut the power to the fire affected area, officials said late Saturday.
On Sunday, the Texas A&M Forest Service announced a temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place for the area over the Crabapple Fire so firefighting aircraft can safely access it. The restriction includes drones.
Gillespie County Judge Daniel Jones has issued a declaration of disaster, which allows for officials to evacuate, close roads, and control ingress/egress as needed.
For those that have been misplaced, a shelter is available through the Red Cross at Zion Lutheran Church at 426 W Main St in Fredericksburg.
City officials are asking everyone to avoid the area.
“People in the area should listen to crews on the ground about evacuations and prepare to evacuate,” officials said about 4 p.m.. “Anyone between Highway 16 North and FM 1631 and between Ranch Road 1323 and Ranch Road 2721 should be prepared to evacuate.”
ACTIVE FIRE MAP: Track active wildfire activity across Texas
The wildfire broke out in northeastern Gillespie County, about 8 miles northeast of Fredericksburg around 1 p.m. Saturday. The fire is being called the “Crabapple fire” by the Texas A&M Forest service, as it developed off of the 8700 block of Lower Crabapple road.
In a 4:20 p.m. update, officials reported that the fire, which started west of North State Highway 16, had moved across Hwy. 16 and was heading due east towards FM 1631, according to the Fredericksburg Fire EMS.
In a 6:12 p.m. update, the forest service estimated the fire to be 8,640 acres and zero contained. Aircraft and ground crews continue to work on the fire and are engaged in structure protection, according to the update.
“At this point, there is no containment,” Chief Bizzell said. “Our goal is to stop the forward progress with air support from (Texas Division of Emergency Management) and the Texas A&M Forest Service. Our crews are also working behind the fire to make sure embers do not cause more fires. Currently embers are flying up to a half of mile and causing more fires in the area. Our resources are working to protect structures.”
Alert: Texas A&M Forest Service is responding to a request for assistance on the #CrabappleFire in Gillespie County. The fire is an estimated 400 acres and 0% contained. Suppression aircraft are en route to assist ground crews. #txfire pic.twitter.com/sV4C0LHdqY
— Incident Information - Texas A&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) March 15, 2025
According to the Gillespie County Communications Center, all fire departments from Gillespie County are on scene. Kendall County has also sent fire crews from Alamo Springs, Sisterdale, and Boerne to assist in fighting the blaze. The Texas A&M Forest Service stated that suppression aircraft are en route to assist ground crews as well.
A red flag warning is in effect for the Hill Country until 9 p.m. Saturday night, due to gusty winds and very dry air in the region. Wind speeds of 20 to 30 mph are expected to continue for the rest of the afternoon and early evening. Some wind gusts could reach as high as 45 mph.
As of 2 p.m. Saturday, the relative humidity in Fredericksburg has dropped to 16%. With conditions like these in place, fires can start and spread rapidly and get out of control. Avoid all outdoor burning, do not park or drive your car over grassy areas, and dispose of cigarettes responsibly.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
March 15, 2025|Updated March 16, 2025 10:26 a.m.
Newsroom Meteorologist