The 37-acre Cedar Park wildfire is completely contained; An apartment building was destroyed
Andrew Schnitker, Erika Bauda, Danielle Gravois, Abigail Jones, Julianna Ross, and Will Dupree
1 month ago
Editor’s Note: The City of Cedar Park has updated the location of Red Cross shelter operations to Hill Country Bible Church
CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Crews were able to completely contain a wildfire Thursday evening in Cedar Park, officials said.
Cedar Park police said crews responded around 6:16 p.m. Tuesday to a fourth-alarm fire near 12820 West Parmer Ln., which is near East Whitestone Boulevard. Residents of the Bexley at Silverado apartment complex and nearby businesses were evacuated.
The 37-acre fire was 100% contained shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The blaze, called the Parmer Lane Fire, destroyed a building containing 24 apartments and damaged two other apartment buildings, Cedar Park said. In total, 38 apartments were damaged by the fire.
According to the city, approximately 300 residential units, 95 homes and several businesses in the area were evacuated.
In an update Wednesday afternoon, the city said residents of the Whitestone Landing apartment complex and homes can go to their units and homes. Electricity was restored to residential buildings that were not damaged by the fire.
During a news conference Wednesday morning, Cedar Park Fire Department Chief James Mallinger said the fire spread from grass Tuesday to a tree and jumped into the building. The fire also damaged three other buildings in the same complex. However, crews will allow people living in those damaged buildings to return to their homes Wednesday morning.
The city also asked residents to conserve water, effective immediately, until Friday. This means no watering or watering outdoors for 48 hours.
Mallinger said people who live in the area next to this fire may see smoke all day, and aircraft are working to put it out.
The Forest Service initially estimated the fire at one point had grown to 120 acres, but later reduced the area after more precise measurement.
At least 20 agencies and 200 first responders assisted with the blaze, which originally started as a structure fire and then moved to grass, city officials said in an update Tuesday evening.
The city said two people were treated for minor injuries.
According to officials, the fire spread around the Bexley apartment complex and then jumped on FM 1431.
Officials said the community should continue to avoid the area so first responders can remain focused on extinguishing the fire.
The Red Cross set up shelter operations for displaced residents at Hill Country Bible Church at 3351 Little Elm Trail, the city of Cedar Park said. The Red Cross is ready for anyone needing additional resources and can be reached at (800) 733-2767, according to police.
