Wildfire — Bastrop, Texas

2011-09-04 to 2011-09-30 · Bastrop, Texas

Event narrative

The Bastrop County Complex Wildfire started on September 4 behind Tropical Storm Lee and a cold front that brought strong northerly winds. The peak wind at Austin Bergstrom International Airport was 36 mph. The fire was not completely contained at the end of the month and had burned 34,068 acres. It destroyed 1669 homes and 40 commercial buildings. Two people were killed by the fire. This fire destroyed more homes than any other single fire in Texas history. These totals include the acreage and destruction from the Union Chapel fire. The fire started in two separate locations just to the north of the city of Bastrop and quickly grew to one fire, destroying much of the Bastrop State Park. Investigation concluded that the fire started as a result of downed powerlines.

Wider weather episode

The Bastrop County Complex Wildfire started on September 4 behind Tropical Storm Lee and a cold front that brought strong northerly winds. The peak wind at Austin Bergstrom International Airport was 36 mph. The fire was not completely contained at the end of the month and had burned 34,068 acres. It destroyed 1669 homes and 40 commercial buildings. Two people were killed by the fire. This fire destroyed more homes than any other single fire in Texas history. These totals include the acreage and destruction from the Union Chapel fire.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 349876. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.