Aug. 2 image of the Smoke Rider Fire courtesy of Texas A&M Forest Service.
Blanco County’s Office of Emergency Management said a thunderstorm Saturday brought much-needed moisture to some but not all parts of the 1,210-acre Smoke Rider Fire, and lightning slowed operations.
“Overall, crews worked really hard today to bring the containment of the Smoke Rider Fire up to 90%,” officials said on Facebook. “Operations will resume tomorrow, and we are hoping to reach 100% containment by the end of Sunday.”
Firefighters from across Texas and the United States battled the blaze from the air and on the ground with the help of the Texas A&M Forest Service.
On Saturday crews were able to contain 90% of the blaze. Heavy mop-up operations were underway as heavy equipment completed all containment lines.
The Smoke Rider Fire ignited early last week near Henly off of FM 165 and U.S. 290 near the Hays County border.