Austin, TX
How prepared is the City of Austin for a major wildfire?
![How prepared is the City of Austin for a major wildfire?](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox7austin.com/www.fox7austin.com/content/uploads/2023/08/1280/720/fox7focus-thumbnail2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
FOX 7 Focus: Will wildfires come to Austin?
Wildfires have created destruction in communities across central Texas, from Bastrop County to Hays and Caldwell Counties and beyond. It begs the question: how long until we see a major wildfire in the city of Austin, and are we prepared?
AUSTIN, Texas – We’ve seen plenty of destructive wildfires across Central Texas from Bastrop County to Hays and Caldwell counties to the grass fire that destroyed an apartment building in Cedar Park.
So it begs the question: how long until we see a major wildfire in the city of Austin and are we prepared?
In this FOX 7 Focus, FOX 7 Austin’s John Krinjak speaks with Justice Jones and Lt. Steve Gibbon with the Austin Fire Department’s wildfire division about the risk and preparations for wildfire danger.
JOHN KRINJAK: Where are we right now as far as wildfire danger goes? At the moment here in Austin, what do people need to know?
JUSTICE JONES: Yeah, the fire danger in Austin is extremely high right now. So we need people to know that any spark, any unwanted ignition can be catastrophic. So our first request to the public is be extremely cautious right now. You don’t want to be the cause of a catastrophe.
STEVE GIBBON: We’re monitoring the fuels. Our fuels right now are getting to a very critical state as it continues to dry. And with the heat and the lack of rainfall, our conditions are going to continue to deteriorate until we get some rain. And so people just need to be really cognizant of what they’re doing, whether it’s dragging a chain behind a truck or, you know, getting out, doing welding or, you know, fence building, you know, working out, you know, even mow in their yard if they strike a rock and start a fire. So there’s a lot of little things that people need to pay attention to.
Lago Vista home a ‘total loss’ after fire
A home in Lago Vista was burned to the ground after catching fire and sending smoke across Lake Travis.
JOHN KRINJAK: What has going to these other fires around here done as far as preparing you guys?
JUSTICE JONES: Well, since the 2011 fire season, Austin Fire Department has been training nonstop to respond to wildland fires. And we train in a way, and we developed policies where we can assist our partners and other communities when they’re experiencing wildfires because we’re going to need help some day and we’re going to ask them to show up for us.
STEVE GIBBON: Oftentimes, the more rural areas will start sparking fires before we do. Just the nature of the fuels they have available down there. So it’s a real cue that as these areas around us start burning, that we should anticipate that, you know, the fires will be moving into our area as our vegetation continues to drive through the region.
JOHN KRINJAK: We haven’t seen, you know, big wildfires here in Austin recently. We have seen a lot like brush fires, though. What should people take away from that? What do you take away from that as far as like what is the risk that something could balloon into something bigger?
JUSTICE JONES: Well, firefighters are very effective in suppressing the majority of wildfires. We put out 99% of the fires right away. It’s that 1% on extreme conditions that we’re concerned about. And we’re entering into some of those extreme conditions. So help firefighters by preventing any unwanted ignition right now and have a plan for evacuating because we can’t protect your home and property until you’re out of harm’s way. If you live in a neighborhood that has limited ingress and egress or is a one way in-one way out, that’s a real cue that you’re in a dangerous situation. So you want to give yourself extra time to evacuate. To do that, you want to have your evacuation items in order. Make sure you have your prescriptions, your pets, the people you love all accounted for. And don’t hesitate when you receive that evacuation notice.
RELATED COVERAGE
JOHN KRINJAK: And given just how hot and how dry it is, how likely do you think it is that we see a significant wildfire within Austin later this month?
JUSTICE JONES: Well, the conditions are shaping up even for the next few days to have extreme fire potential. That means the vegetation is extremely dry and vegetation that we nailed to our homes in the forms of fences and decks is extremely dry as well.
STEVE GIBBON: The way conditions are going now, yes, it’s going to be I anticipate that we’re going to have a significant fire here before too much longer. Just it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when and when all the holes in the Swiss cheese line up and we get the dry conditions. And if we get a little front push through and brings a little bit of wind with it, then it could be an interesting day for us.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Austin, TX
Texas hiker dies on trail at Grand Canyon National Park; officials warn of extreme heat
![Texas hiker dies on trail at Grand Canyon National Park; officials warn of extreme heat](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/River-Trail-NPS.jpg)
A hiker collapsed and died on a trail in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona over the weekend, prompting parks officials to warn about the dangers of hiking in extreme heat.
Scott Sims, 69, of Austin, Texas, was attempting to reach Phantom Ranch via the South Kaibab Trail for an overnight stay when he was found semi-conscious around 7 p.m. Saturday, the National Parks Service (NPS) said in a statement on Monday.
Sims became unresponsive a short time later, and bystanders performed CPR until three NPS paramedics arrived, parks officials said. All attempts to resuscitate Sims were unsuccessful.
Sims collapsed on the River Trail, about halfway between the Silver Bridge and Black Bridge near Phantom Ranch, according to the NPS. Temperatures on exposed parts of the trail can reach 120 degrees in the shade, the agency said.
HIKER LOST FOR 10 DAYS FOUND ALIVE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MOUNTAINS
Scott Sims was found semi-conscious on the River Trail at Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday. He became unresponsive a short time later. (National Park Service, File)
“Park rangers strongly advise not hiking in the inner canyon during the heat of the day between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” NPS said.
![South Kaibab Trail](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/south-kaibab-trail2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Temperatures on the trail can reach 120 degrees in the shade, NPS said. (Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto via Getty Images, File)
Officials said that its efforts to help hikers during the summer months may be delayed due to limited staff, an increased number of rescue calls, safety requirements for staff and helicopter usage being limited in extreme heat or periods of inclement weather.
COUPLE MISSING IN UTAH MAY HAVE BEEN SWEPT AWAY IN FLASH FLOOD WHILE EXPLORING TRAIL ON UTV
NPS and the Coconino Medical Examiner are investigating the death. No cause of death was immediately provided.
![South Kaibab Trail](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/south-kaibab-trail.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
No cause of death was immediately provided. (Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto via Getty Images, File)
The death comes after a Salt Lake City fire captain died in a rafting accident at Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado.
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
An NPS review of deaths in national parks between 2014 and 2019 found that hiking was the second-deadliest recreational activity behind driving, while drowning caused the second-highest number of unintentional deaths after motor vehicle crashes.
Austin, TX
Victim found dead in South Austin; APD investigating
![Victim found dead in South Austin; APD investigating](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox7austin.com/www.fox7austin.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1280/720/snapshot-7.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
APD investigating homicide in South Austin
FULL VIDEO: The Austin Police Department gives more information on a homicide investigation in South Austin
AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Police Department is investigating after a person was found dead in South Austin.
Austin police said on Monday, July 1, around 5:30 p.m., officers were called to investigate a homicide at an apartment complex in the 6700 block of Windrift Way.
When officers arrived, they found a victim who had penetrating injuries. The victim was pronounced dead on scene.
A person of interest and witnesses are being interviewed by detectives.
Police said this is believed to be an isolated incident.
This is a developing story, refresh for the latest updates
Austin, TX
Michael Corcoran, longtime Austin music journalist and historian, has died. He was 68.
Michael Corcoran, prominent Austin music journalist and historian, has died. He was 68.
Family members confirmed Monday afternoon that he was found deceased in his Buda residence.
Corcoran, who wrote in a sometimes gruff, inimitable manner for the American-Statesman, Austin Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, Spin, National Lampoon and other publications, spent the past years as a serious historian, publishing books about sometimes unsung Texas music and musicians.
“The most important thing to remember about Corcoran was that he wrote for the National Lampoon,” said Pat Beach, who worked alongside Corcoran at the Statesman after 1997. “He later described himself as a ‘roast critic.’ He also said he regretted some of those barbs. Obviously he had issues. He didn’t take care of himself. But he became this incredible scholar of Texas music.”
Among his highly praised books were “Ghost Notes: Pioneering Spirts of Texas Music” and “All Over the Map: “True Heroes of Texas Music.” His most recent work was published on “Michael Corcoran’s Overserved” on Substack.
Corcoran grew up in a military family in Hawaii, exposed to an incredibly diverse set of musical traditions. He seemed about to cut through the performative pretensions of pop culture to find the authentic core of a musician’s artistry.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for more details.
-
News1 week ago
A Florida family is suing NASA after a piece of space debris crashed through their home
-
World1 week ago
New Caledonia independence activists sent to France for detention
-
World1 week ago
Israel accepts bilateral meeting with EU, but with conditions
-
News1 week ago
Arkansas police confirm 4th victim died in grocery store shooting
-
World1 week ago
Netanyahu says war will continue even if ceasefire deal agreed with Hamas
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Film Review: Everyday of the Dead (2023) by Yuyuma Naoki
-
Politics1 week ago
Biden official says past social media posts don’t reflect ‘current views,’ vows to support admin ‘agenda’
-
Politics1 week ago
DeSantis signs bill allowing residents to kill bears, vetoes bill that fines slow left lane drivers