AFD: East Austin brush fire ‘out’, 2 firefighters injured

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department said a 55-acre brush fire that was previously “spreading rapidly towards structures” is “out” as of 5 p.m. Thursday.

Two firefighters were injured in the east Austin blaze, which was caused by “equipment malfunction,” AFD said.

AFD received multiple calls around 12:41 p.m. about a fire in the 9500 block of FM 969 Road, AFD Operations Public Information Officer Rachael Lewis said. Lewis added the fire changed direction several times due to wind shifts, and the brush burned quickly due to the dry conditions.

“Even though we’ve had a lot of rain (in summer), we’ve had a dry couple of weeks and it doesn’t take very long for the moisture content in the fuels, all the grass and brush and everything, to burn out,” Lewis said.

Several structures were threatened by the fire, including Austin Discovery School and homes in a nearby neighborhood, but AFD didn’t force any evacuations. AFD said no structures were damaged.

Lewis said school wasn’t in session Thursday, but a camp at the school evacuated as a precaution. An office building with several people also voluntarily evacuated.

Investigators are working to uncover the cause of the fire, AFD said.

On Thursday afternoon, AFD said it had 47 firefighters on the ground, two helicopters in the air and multiple drones helping in firefighting tactics along with brush trucks.

“We’re thinking the wind will die down later today so we’re hoping to use that to our advantage,” Lewis said.

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