Mulch fire burns near McGregor and Fitzhugh

Thanks to dry conditions and high winds, wildfire season is in full swing in the Hill Country.

Although the Dripping Springs area has managed to avoid larger, more serious fires, property owners have remained on alert for the slightest ember. The possibility of significant damage was realized by many last week, when a plot of land caught fire near McGregor Lane and Fitzhugh Road.

“Whatever started this fire, it was in an area far from roads and people,” said Ashley Shaw, owner of a neighboring property. “All it takes is a spark, and we are still super dry.”

The North Hays County Fire Rescue identified the fire as a mulch fire, making residents aware of the danger via a Facebook post.

“There is a lot of smoke in the area,” the post read. “We will be working on the fire for a few hours.”

Almost two hours later, the fire rescue posted an update: “Fire under control. There will be smoke for a day or two as the mulch burns down. North Hays crews will remain on location to monitor for the next few hours.”

Though it was controlled fairly quickly, the fire affected approximately an acre of land in the few hours it was burning, according to Shaw.

For more on fire safety and conditions, visit hayscountytx.com/law-enforcement/fire-marshal.