UPDATED 9/8: Help is still needed with 1400 families burned out of their homes, 30,000 acres burned and the fires still only 30% contained. These friends, neighbors and fellow Texans are devastated physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually.  Any help that can be provided will be greatly appreciated. The problems created will continue for months after the fires are out. 

Our former Bastrop County Chair and former SREC Chaplain Bob Long and his wife Sue, are working with the Bastrop Christian Ministerial Alliance to provide aide to the people affected in the area.

Check donations can be made payable to:
Bastrop Christian Ministerial Alliance
Disaster Relief Fund
P. O. Box 876
Bastrop, TX  78602

Gift certificates to HEB, WAL-MART and SEARS can also be given to help with immediate needs like, food, medicine, household items and appliances.
 

Extreme drought conditions have sparked dangerous wildfires across the state, which have taken lives, engulfed more than 3.5 million acres and destroyed hundreds of homes. Texans must continue to heed all warning from fire and local officials, and take all necessary precautions to minimize the risk of wildfire.

In the past seven days, the Texas Forest Service has responded to 181 fires that have burned more than 118,400 acres, including new fires in Bastrop, Travis, Henderson, Limestone, Caldwell, Colorado, Montgomery and Grimes counties, among others. TFS also continues to battle existing wildfires, including major fires in Palo Pinto, Briscoe, Coryell and Montague counties. Since the beginning of wildfire season, local and state firefighters have responded to more than 20,900 fires that have destroyed more than 1,000 homes and burned more than 3.6 million acres.

There are a number of ways to stay updated on the latest information to keep track of the disaster, find local shelters, and support the relief and recovery efforts for the thousands of Texas residents who have been affected by the wildfires.

Helpful Information

»  Updates via Texas Forest Service
»  Local Shelters for Central Texas
»  Register Yourself as “Safe and Well”
»  County Burn Ban Map
»  Fire Activity Map via Google Earth
»  Wildfire Prevention Tips

 
Evacuation Information: 2-1-1
FEMA: 1-800-621-3362
American Red Cross: 1-800-733-2767
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-525-5555
TxDOT Road Closures: 1-800-452-9292
Relay Service: 7-1-1
(Hearing Impaired and Visual Disabilities)
Report Arson: 1-800-364-3470

Donation Information

 » Texas Disaster Relief Fund
 » Red Cross
 » The Salvation Army
 » Texas Forest Service: VFD Emergency Assistance Fund

 
Governor Rick Perry's office has issued a press release summarizing the situation: 

Gov. Rick Perry took an aerial tour of wildfire damage in the Steiner Ranch community west of Austin, and met with emergency management and local officials who have been battling fires in the area. The governor continued to urge all Texans to closely monitor conditions and reports, and heed all warnings from local officials as extremely dry and windy conditions are expected to continue fueling wildfires that continue raging across the state.

"These fires are serious and widespread, and as mean as I have ever seen, burning more than 1,000 homes since this wildfire season began," Gov. Perry said. "Texas appreciates the resources and support we continue to receive from across the state and across the country to fight these fires, and the efforts of the brave men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect Texans' lives and property. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are impacted by these fires."

"Our primary focus is on safety and protecting lives, and Texans need to heed all warnings, especially evacuation warnings from local officials," Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said. "The Texas Division of Emergency Management is actively supporting local firefighting efforts across the state, and we will continue to provide all necessary assistance."

State resources assisting with wildfire response include:

  • Texas Forest Service personnel and aviation assets, including 15 single-engine air tankers, 12 helicopters and 13 aerial supervision aircraft assets deployed to multiple fires;
  • Texas Military Forces, with 2 CH-47 Chinook Aircraft and 3 UH-60 Blackhawks assisting with fires in Bastrop County, 1 UH-60 Blackhawk staged in Austin to fight central Texas fires, 2 UH-60 Blackhawks assisting with the fires in Colorado County, and 3 ground wildfire support packages consisting of 4 dozers and 16 personnel each;
  • Texas Department of Public Safety emergency management personnel, highway patrol troopers, air assets and a mobile communications center deployed to Bastrop County;
  • Texas Department of Transportation is providing personnel, equipment and fuel to responders;

Additionally, the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), a network of Texas fire departments willing to provide emergency resources to neighboring communities during the threat of disaster, is activated. TIFMAS resources deployed in Central Texas include 18 command vehicles, 72 fire engines and 121 personnel.