Fire in Oak Hill (Austin: health insurance, home, buy)

[CptnRn]

UPDATE: 4:00 P.M.:
The “Y” intersection in Oak Hill — where U.S. 290 West splits off from Texas 71 West — has been closed because of the wildfire that continues to threaten homes just west of Oak Hill.

That is going to create havoc for rush hour traffic heading West of Austin. If you are commuting from downtown go have a drink somewhere, maybe dinner if you can before heading home.

[CptnRn]

Austin news, sports, weather, Longhorns, business | Statesman.com

UPDATE: 4:10 P.M.:
The wildfire near Oak Hill in Southwest Austin has destroyed five homes, officials on the scene said. That number could climb to 10, officials feared.
Two hundred people have been evacuated, and authorities said they have no reports of injuries.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, officials said, but they are investigating the possibility that the blaze originated in a nearby homeless camp.

Photos of fire "Brush fire in Oak Hill, 04.17.11" Austin Texas Photo Gallery | Statesman.com

[TexasHorseLady]

Well, it's Sunday, so there shouldn't be too much rush hour.

[CptnRn]

Austin news, sports, weather, Longhorns, business | Statesman.com

UPDATE: 4:41 P.M.:
A wildfire that has claimed five Southwest Austin homes is now 70 percent contained, authorities said this afternoon.
The fire in the Scenic Brook neighborhood of Oak Hill has caused damage to 20 homes in all, the officials said.

Two helicopters have been deployed to fight the blaze, in addition to 100 firefighters and 30 firetrucks from five agencies, including the Texas Forest Service. If that force can’t handle the blaze, the Forest Service plans to bring in two C130 jumbo airplanes to drop fire retardant on the area — the type of tactics used on West Texas wildfires for the past week.
Coincidentally, some of the firefighters working the Oak Hill blaze recently returned from battling those West Texas blazes.
“This is the first time in a very long time that I’ve seen a fire like this in Central Texas,” said Austin fire battalion chief Palmer Buck. “This is the type of fire that’s been in West Texas; however, this is more severe because it’s a heavily populated area and not ranchland.”
Authorities had to evacuate about 200 people from their homes in the hilly and heavily wooded subdivision on Austin’s southwestern edge.
The nearby “Y” intersection, where U.S. 290 and Texas 71 split, has been closed since about 4 p.m. and traffic is being rerouted.
No injuries have been reported.

[atxcio]

I don't see the smoke anymore, but I do see the C-130s! Two of them. Going to try to get a pic.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by atxcio

I don't see the smoke anymore, but I do see the C-130s! Two of them. Going to try to get a pic.

The Y has been reopened.

Austin firefighters battle Oak Hill brush fire | kvue.com | Austin, Texas News | KVUE | Austin, TX | Breaking News (http://www.kvue.com/news/local/Austin-firefighters-battle-Oak-Hill-grass-fire-120007399.html - broken link)

UPDATE: 6:00 P.M.:
CORRECTION: The percent of the fire that has been contained has been changed from an earlier version.
The Oak Hill fire is 90 percent contained, Austin fire officials said, and the “Y” intersection has re-opened.
Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr said the fire destroyed six to 10 homes and damaged at least another 20. No injuries have been reported.
Battalion Chief Palmer Buck said arson investigators are on the scene of the fire.
Mayor Lee Leffingwell said, “I have not seen a fire like this in Austin, but it’s something we fear not only here but all over the state.”
Authorities evacuated the following streets: Callbram Lane, South Brook Drive, Scenic Brook Drive and Silvermine Drive. Fifty people were evacuated to Scenic Hills Baptist Church, Leffingwell said.
City officials said because the fire has not been fully contained, it’s not yet safe for residents to return to their homes. Residents who have been evacuated can call 974-6199 to find out when they can return to their homes. Updates will also be posted on www.austinHSEM.com

[cBach]

I've smelled the smoke all day today - assumed it was the West Texas wildfires but I guess it was closer than I thought. Ash was actually falling from the sky.

[sxrckr]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

Austin news, sports, weather, Longhorns, business | Statesman.com

UPDATE: 4:10 P.M.:
The wildfire near Oak Hill in Southwest Austin has destroyed five homes, officials on the scene said. That number could climb to 10, officials feared.
Two hundred people have been evacuated, and authorities said they have no reports of injuries.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, officials said, but they are investigating the possibility that the blaze originated in a nearby homeless camp.

Photos of fire "Brush fire in Oak Hill, 04.17.11" Austin Texas Photo Gallery | Statesman.com

So this explains all the smoke smell lately.

This is really bad. I was really hoping it wouldn't come this far east.

[jentaylor]

Any more word on the cause of the fire? KVUE just reported a suspect has been arrested (but no details).

[CptnRn]

Latest story and photos here: 1 charged in fire

Some residents who have evacuated the Oak Hill area will not be able to return to their homes tonight. See the list and latest official news here:
City of Austin Homeland Security and Emergency Management (http://www.austinhsem.com/go/doc/3603/970379/ - broken link)