A wildfire along Highway 71 in Bastrop County near Smithville has forced the evacuation of over 50 homes. The fire which started at noon has grown to over 400 acres. Currently Texas Forest Service is on the scene with two aerial scoop tankers and Star Flight of Travis County is operating two helicopters. Around 40 to 50 homes were evacuated after the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office issued precautionary evacuation orders in the area between Alum Creek Road and Cottletown Road, as the wind began blowing the fire northward. Subsequent evacuations were issued at 3 p.m. for residents from SH 71 at Alum Creek Road north to Gotier Trace. This area of Bastrop County is no stranger to wildfires. The Powder Keg Fire burned 117 acres in a similar area of the county in August 2023. The fire is only 10% contained.
