Wildfires

Bruce Clements, Wilco’s Director of the Office of Emergency Management, explains how the updated Hazard Mitigation plan can get grants to the county to improve infrastructure. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Bruce Clements, Wilco’s Director of the Office of Emergency Management, explains how the updated Hazard Mitigation plan can get grants to the county to improve infrastructure. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County debuts refashioned mitigation plan

Nalani Nuylan
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a revamped Hazard Mitigation Plan on April 29. Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements said this plan — updated every 10 years — includes a detailed risk assessment, an inventory of infrastructure and mitigation strategies.
Maydell and Larry Foust’s property is scorched by a wildfire caused by fireworks during Halloween. Photo courtesy of Maydell and Larry Foust.

Maydell and Larry Foust’s property is scorched by a wildfire caused by fireworks during Halloween. Photo courtesy of Maydell and Larry Foust.

Wilco warns of winter wildfires

Nalani Nuylan
Monday, December 23, 2024
Despite cooler temperatures, Williamson County is still prone to wildfires in the winter. “We are expecting dry conditions, outside of our normal Texas winter, I would say,” said Ron Cunningham, Wilco’s interim fire marshall.
The Parmer Fire that occurred in July in Cedar Park burned down part of an apartment complex. Thirty-seven acres were lost in the fire. Photo courtesy of the City of Cedar Park.

The Parmer Fire that occurred in July in Cedar Park burned down part of an apartment complex. Thirty-seven acres were lost in the fire. Photo courtesy of the City of Cedar Park.

How our city, county work to stamp out future wildfires

Kaitlyn Wilkes and Nalani Nuylan
Thursday, September 7, 2023
During the past seven years, Georgetown and Williamson County residents have experienced the remnants of wind and rain from Hurricane Harvey, substantial power outages and dangerously icy roads during the five days of Winter Storm Uri in 2021, loss of property from the 2022 Jarrell tornado and most...
A grass fire named Rock Quarry consumes 21 acres of land near Jarrell on Friday, September 1. More than 20 organizations helped fight the fire. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

A grass fire named Rock Quarry consumes 21 acres of land near Jarrell on Friday, September 1. More than 20 organizations helped fight the fire. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

Fire blackens 21.5 acres in Jarrell

Nalani Nuylan
Saturday, September 2, 2023
A grass fire caused by a vehicle fire burned an estimated 21 acres in Jarrell Friday afternoon. According to the Texas A&M Wildfire Service, the fire is now 100 percent contained.  The Interstate 35 southbound frontage road was closed during the fire from Ronald Reagan Boulevard to County Road 143.
Map of the most recent drought conditions in Texas, which has reached the “exceptional” level in Williamson County — the worst possible. Courtesy of U.S. Drought Monitor.

Map of the most recent drought conditions in Texas, which has reached the “exceptional” level in Williamson County — the worst possible. Courtesy of U.S. Drought Monitor.

County bakes, literally, in worst possible drought conditions

Nalani Nuylan
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
With the end of summer approaching, Williamson County is experiencing a record drought. The worst drought previously was in August 2011, which lasted five months. The county returned to Moderate Drought in May 2012.
Texas A&M Public Information Officers Leslie Auriemmo (Left) and Besty Coffee (right) were walking on Georgetown Square sharing tips on how to prevent wildfires on August 10. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Texas A&M Public Information Officers Leslie Auriemmo (Left) and Besty Coffee (right) were walking on Georgetown Square sharing tips on how to prevent wildfires on August 10. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Cedar Park wildfire extinguished

Nalani Nuylan
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
The City of Cedar Park reported in their biweekly newsletter that the Parmer Lane wildfire is 100 percent contained, as of Thursday, August 10.  The fire burned 37 acres over the two-day period. Building 10 at Bexley at Silverado Apartments was completely burnt down.

Wilco bolsters efforts against wildfires

Nalani Nuylan
Monday, August 7, 2023
The Williamson County Fire Chief’s Association has adopted the Williamson County Wildfire Task Force Regional Procedure as a way to streamline requests for additional resources during active wildfires in the county.

Williamson County issues county-wide burn ban

Nalani Nuylan
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
The Williamson County Commissioners Court issued a county-wide burn ban starting at noon on Tuesday, July 18, for a period not to exceed 90 days due to severe drought conditions.  These conditions include above-average heat, low humidity, low fuel moisture and high winds.
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