Wildfire — Coastal Aransas County, Texas

2025-04-09 to 2025-04-15 · Coastal Aransas County, Texas

Event narrative

The fire, which ignited on April 9, 2025, near Highway 35, burned approximately 157 acres and resulted in the destruction of multiple structures before becoming fully contained on April 15th. Reports indicate that 18 homes and 21 additional buildings, including outbuildings and camper trailers, were destroyed. Additionally, a local sawmill business suffered a total loss due to the fire (KIII TV).

While an exact damage cost figure is unavailable, considering the number of structures destroyed, the loss of a commercial business, and the extensive emergency response, the total damage cost is likely to be in the millions of dollars. For instance, if we conservatively estimate the average value of each destroyed home at $150,000, the loss from homes alone would amount to $2.7 million. This does not account for the additional buildings, business losses, and firefighting expenses. The firefighting efforts involved 42 agencies, deploying 35 brush trucks, 21 tankers, 29 EMS units, and 251 personnel. Such a large-scale response would have incurred significant costs related to personnel, equipment, and logistics.

Wider weather episode

Elevated fire weather conditions were in place when this fire event began. Specifically critically dry fuels were present with Energy Release Component (ERC) values in the 70-90th percentile. Minimum relative humidity values between 30-40%, along with winds around 10-15 knots and higher gusts. Similar conditions were in place during the following days, however, winds increased that weekend with gusts around 25-30 knots. Low relative humidity values will persist, mainly over the Brush Country and portions of the Coastal Plains. These conditions resulted in elevated to critical fire weather concerns each day through during the duration of the fire.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1237630. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.