Court reviews Oak Grove fire cause, preparedness
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra used the burn ban agenda item as a chance to discuss the Oak Grove Fire at last week’s Commissioners Court meeting.
At the meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 8, Becerra analyzed the approximately 400-acre fire that tore through Hays County, just northwest of San Marcos, earlier this month. He pointed out the need for additional access to the area by safety personnel.
According to Hays County officials, as of 4:51 p.m. on Aug. 8, the official toll for acreage burned remained at 400. The Hays County Fire Marshal determined the cause of the fire was accidental and was caused by equipment use.
Officials said crews are still dealing with significant hotspots at the northern end of the fire, with containment estimated at 90 percent at the time of the meeting.
Becerra said there were no fatalities associated with the wildfire and that regional, state and outof- state firefighters came to the community’s aid to quell the blaze. He added that one home was lost in the fire.
Michael Hinz, the veteran who lost his home and his possessions, requested the public’s support. To make a donation, visit gofundme. com/f/oakgrove fire-destroys- onehome- everything- gone.
“Sadly, a lot of the stuff that they’re dealing with is preventable,” Becerra said. “We have a burn ban in place. We’re doing everything we can, but folks have to remember: don’t cut things out there that are going to cause sparks, [and] don’t start fires that you think are going to be safe.”
Becerra emphasized the importance of maintaining the trees and bushes around your home, which will help to protect it in the instance of another fire; an occurrence he said is highly likely given the recent persistence of three-digit temperatures. He said be sure to find a means of disposing of the trimmings that does not involve fire.
Becerra said there is a single road allowing access to Oak Grove despite its relatively large size.
“There is a portion of that community that doesn’t want anything to do with any kind of emergency access out of the area, and there’s a portion of the community that says, ‘Holy smokes, why haven’t we done it already,’” Becerra said. He said he will try to balance accessibility in the event of an emergency while maintaining the rural feel of the area.
Hays County Commissioner Lon Shell, Precinct 3, said Emergency Services Director Mike Jones did an excellent job allocating assets and resources quickly.
“Every time this happens, which seems to be happening more frequently…” Shell said. “I’m just so proud of that response — getting people there, the outpouring of support from other agencies and the state.”
Shell said, although he has seen continuous improvement in the coordination of communication during emergencies, there is room for additional progress.
“I think that’s another good thing for emergency management to look at is how to formalize some of those emergency access points,” Shell said, adding that it would be prudent to speak to landowners about gate location and permission for emergency access.