Buda sets plans for $4M fire station to combat Texas wildfires

Texas wildfires threaten thousands of lives every year. This past year was no different as the state saw thousands of acres destroyed by blazing flames. Now, to combat fires, a new station is set to serve a drought-risked area in the Texas Hill Country. 

Fires grew to the point in which 191 of the state’s 254 counties had active wildfires that have reportedly burned more than 5,000 acres. Those fires led to a wildfire disaster declaration by Governor Greg Abbott. 

Much of the region is still recovering from extreme drought, as water levels are barely returning to normal with the incoming sprits of rain. Buda, south of Austin, still remains under drought restrictions as rainfall was not sufficient to “bring the region out of drought conditions,” according to a news release. 

Construction for the Hays County ESD No. 8 and Fire Station #4 is slated to begin this summer and be completed by the end of 2025. An estimated start date for the 11,431-square-foot building is listed as July 1, 2024, with a completion date of December 31, 2025, according to the TDLR filing.

The public safety building will be located at 4836 Marsh Lane, Buda, TX 78610. All TDLR filings are subject to change.