Mason County wildfire burns more than 4,000 acres

TEXAS, USA — Crews are working to put out a Central Texas wildfire spanning across an estimated 4,000 acres. 

The Texas A&M Forest Service said Friday morning that the North Art Complex Fire was burning approximately 3,000 acres in Mason County, roughly 118 miles away from the Austin area.

As of 10 p.m. Saturday, the now-4,300-acre fire is roughly 95% contained.

Officials say the North Art Complex Fire is actually the result of multiple smaller fires that were started by lightning. The fires were grouped into a “complex” fire because of their proximity to each other.

Forest Service officials said initially, the fire was very active and some structures were threatened. However, as of 10:20 a.m., no structures had been lost. 

The forest service said aircraft and ground crews were continuing to work to suppress the fire and more crews were on their way to help.

Officials are asking the public to stay out of the area and to avoid using drones anywhere near the fire, as they can’t use their aviation support if drones are in the air.

“I’ve been out here since this morning [Friday], but local firefighters, state agencies like Texas A&M Forest Services, landowners and fire departments from hours away have been fighting these flames since last night,” Brandy Neece told KVUE.

Necee’s husband is a Mason County volunteer firefighter, and she is part of a Ladies Auxiliary team, where volunteer firefighters’ wives come together to support, feed and collect donations when fires happen.

She said she could hear the panic in the firefighters’ voices Thursday night when they ran out. She said it looked like a sunset outside because the flames were so big and orange.

Neece said every time there’s a fire, they are uncertain if their loved ones will come home – but they’re grateful for all the help.

“We can’t say enough about all the surrounding counties, the surrounding supporting agencies. Yeah, the entire state that’s willing to just step up and step in and to do it so quickly,” she said. “I mean, by last night, we already had dinner for them, we had somebody make them lunch today, we’ve already got plans for dinner this evening. It’s a blessing. We’re grateful to live where we do.”

Mason County Texas AgriLife Extension posted a list of resources for ranchers and farmers impacted by the fire. 

A second, smaller fire was also burning across 10 acres in Bastrop County Friday morning. The Pine Dump Fire is 65% contained as of around 4:20 p.m. The cause of that fire is unknown.