The Roosevelt National Forest is closely monitoring local conditions to resume prescribed fire operations on the Magic Feather Prescribed Burn near Red Feather Lakes as early as Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Prescribed fires are used to reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

The burn is located east and southeast of Red Feather Lakes. This project is a continuation of burning that took place over recent years, all located south of County Road 74E (Red Feather Lakes Road). This area will close to the public throughout operations for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. 

Fire managers have been carefully monitoring conditions within the project area, including favorable weather forecast (temperature, wind, precipitation, relative humidity), fuel moisture, smoke dispersal and required staffing. Weather is monitored throughout the burn and burning is halted if conditions fall outside of the required prescriptions.

People in the surrounding area should expect to see smoke when operations are taking place. Smoke may also impact those using the Dowdy Lake and West Lake recreation areas. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit Wood smoke and your health.

To receive updates, follow us on Facebook and X and join our email list through Constant Contact and select list "Forest Health & Fire: North of Hwy 14 to Wyoming Border (Red Feather Lakes)".

Firefighters from the Upper Lake and Covelo Ranger Districts as well as forest fuels crew Module 8 successfully completed 59 acres of prescribed burning in the Bartlett Springs area. This project marks significant progress to reduce fuels and prepare the site for reforestation as well as future broadcast burning. Smoke impacts have been minimal and confined primarily to the Bartlett Springs/Long Valley area. Today and tomorrow crews will be mopping up and patrolling the unit. 

3/20/2025

2:30pm

Size: 9858 acres

Containment: 95%

Date Started: 3/15/2025

Cause: Roadside Start

FINAL UPDATE

This will be the final update, barring any substantial changes to the fire. 

The fire has remained calm, with no issues from the increased wind speeds overnight. Air attack reports that there are no visible concerns. Resources on scene will be available for initial attack on any new wildfires.    

A more accurate estimate of acreage was achieved due to IR flights and on the ground mapping. A Post Fire Assessment Team (PFAT) completed damage assessments of structures affected by the fire. Multiple homes and outbuildings were lost or damaged. Details are below. 

Texas Department of Emergency Management is working with residents to provide post-fire assistance. 

The Red Cross shelter has been closed. 

Currently, food, water and other supply donations are not needed. To help with recovery efforts from the Crabapple Fire, Gillespie County has partnered with the OneStar Foundation, Rebuild Texas to establish the Crabapple Disaster Fund. At this time, this is the best way to help. Donations can be made here: https://onestarfoundation.org/crabapple-fire-relief-fund/.

Weather: Chilly start this morning with light northerly winds and humidity around 50 percent. The winds may slightly rise mid-morning to around 10 mph through midday before weakening again through the afternoon with the directions shifting more easterly late afternoon and southeasterly into tonight. Minimum humidity levels this afternoon to around 15 percent.

Structures Threatened Originally: Approximately 50

Evacuations and closures: All evacuation orders have been lifted.  

Damages and Injuries: One minor injury to a firefighter, they are expected to make a full recovery.

Post Fire Assessment Results

9 total residences destroyed
- 7 occupied
- 2 confirmed unoccupied
2 residences damaged

Crabapple Fire Daily Update

3/19/2025

11:30am

Size: 9858 acres

Containment: 90%

Date Started: 3/15/2025

Cause: Roadside Start

The fire has remained calm, with no issues from the increased wind speeds overnight. Air attack reports that there are no visible concerns. Resources on scene will be available for initial attack on any new wildfires.    

A more accurate estimate of acreage was achieved due to IR flights and on the ground mapping. A Post Fire Assessment Team (PFAT) completed damage assessments of structures affected by the fire. Multiple homes and outbuildings were lost or damaged. Details are below. 

Texas Department of Emergency Management is working with residents to provide post-fire assistance. 

The Red Cross shelter has been closed. 

Currently, food, water and other supply donations are not needed. To help with recovery efforts from the Crabapple Fire, Gillespie County has partnered with the OneStar Foundation, Rebuild Texas to establish the Crabapple Disaster Fund. At this time, this is the best way to help. Donations can be made here: https://onestarfoundation.org/crabapple-fire-relief-fund/.

Weather: Widespread critical fire weather is expected today as a Pacific front brings an expansive swath of breezy northwesterly post-frontal winds and exceptionally dry air. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for all of South-Central Texas until 9 PM.

Structures Threatened Originally: Approximately 50

Evacuations and closures: Evacuations were made on an individual home basis. If you were evacuated you may return to your home as conditions allow. Be aware that there are still many hazards in the area. All roads have been re-opened, but please avoid the area if possible. 

Damages and Injuries: One minor injury to a firefighter, they are expected to make a full recovery.

PFAT Assessment Results

9 total residences destroyed
- 7 occupied
- 2 confirmed unoccupied
2 residences damaged
20 outbuildings destroyed
4 outbuildings damaged

SH 136 from Roosevelt Street in Borger to Bunavista, just west of Border and FM 1559 are closed due to visibility from smoke caused from the nearby wildfire. 

Superior Ranger District: Firefighters will burn up to 10 acres located 2.5 miles west of Superior at the junction of Johnson Lane and Southside Road.  Smoke may be visible from Interstate 90, the town of Superior and the residents of Johnson Lane. This project is in partnership with the Mule Deer Foundation.

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TUESDAY, MARCH 18.

HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CDT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19.

Crabapple Fire Daily Update

3/17/2025

9:30pm

Size: 9737 acres

Containment: 85%

Date Started: 3/15/2025

Cause: Unknown, under investigation

Crews spent the day strengthening existing containment lines and tying lines together. A focus was made on the northern edge of the fire for a wind shift bringing Red Flag conditions. The winds caused several flare-ups in green pockets of fuels on the interior of the fire. Aircraft and engines worked hotspots to ensure nothing could carry over the containment lines. 

A more accurate estimate of acreage was achieved due to IR flights and on the ground mapping. A Post Fire Assessment Team (PFAT) completed damage assessments of structures affected by the fire. Multiple homes and outbuildings were lost or damaged. Details are below. 

Texas Department of Emergency Management is working with residents to provide post-fire assistance. 

The Red Cross shelter has been closed. 

Currently, food, water and other supply donations are not needed. To help with recovery efforts from the Crabapple Fire, Gillespie County has partnered with the OneStar Foundation, Rebuild Texas to establish the Crabapple Disaster Fund. At this time, this is the best way to help. Donations can be made here: https://onestarfoundation.org/crabapple-fire-relief-fund/.

Weather: Critical fire weather conditions will occur from late this morning through this evening. Southerly winds will continue tonight bringing warmer, moister air into South-Central Texas. Skies should remain partly cloudy. Low temperatures Tuesday morning will be 10-15 degrees warmer than today and mostly in the 50s.

Structures Threatened Originally: Approximately 50

Evacuations and closures: 

Evacuations were made on an individual home basis. If you were evacuated you may return to your home as conditions allow. Be aware that there are still many hazards in the area. 

All roads have been re-opened, but please avoid the area if possible. Please respect private property if traveling through the burned area. 

Damages and Injuries: One minor injury to a firefighter, they are expected to make a full recovery.

Damage Assessment Results

9 total residences destroyed
- 7 occupied
- 2 confirmed unoccupied
2 residences damaged
20 outbuildings destroyed
4 outbuildings damaged

Superior Ranger District: Firefighters will burn up to 9 acres located 2.5 miles west of Superior at the junction of Johnson Lane and Southside Road.  Smoke may be visible from Interstate 90, the town of Superior and the residents of Johnson Lane. This project is in partnership with the Mule Deer Foundation.