68 Homes Burned in Central Texas; Wildfire 80% Contained

Residents forced from their homes by a 7-square-mile Central Texas wildfire have been allowed to return to the evacuation zone — some to return to their homes, some to count their losses.

The Texas A&M Forest Service reported on Oct. 21 that the blaze in Bastrop County was 80 percent contained after burning 68 homes and 77 non-residential structures since Oct. 13, when farm equipment accidentally ignited grass.

Forest Service spokesman Logan Scherschel says no injuries have been reported.

Buescher State Park remains closed through Oct. 23 due to the wildfire about 40 miles southeast of Austin.

The National Weather Service has predicted a chance for showers in the Bastrop area.

Related:

• Progress Made Against Central Texas Wildfire
• Some Central Texans Returning to Homes in Fire-Ravaged Area
• 40 Structures Burned so Far in Central Texas Fires

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Texas Wildfire Homeowners