Kempner VFD

08/31/2026

Over the past week, 156 wildfires have burned 94,067 acres statewide. Texas A&M Forest Service and all assigned resources have responded to 89 of those wildfires for 93,615 acres.

Rain chances are ending today as a weak cold front moves out of Texas. This weekend, drier conditions return, with breezy winds of 15-20 mph expected across portions of the High Plains on Saturday.

🔥 Initial attack potential will remain moderate in East Texas due to ongoing dryness and dry surface fuels. However, the lack of a significant fire weather trigger should help keep resistance to control low to moderate.

Looking ahead, above-normal temperatures and dry weather are expected to increase wildfire activity across the state next week. Fuels are expected to dry quickly, and elevated to significant fire potential could develop as early as Sunday and persist through next week, especially across the Rolling Plains, Cross Timbers, and Eastern Hill Country.

Stay aware of local conditions and use caution with activities that could spark a wildfire.

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Incident Information - Texas A&M Forest Service

The Texas Fire Potential Update is posted at: https://bit.ly/TexasFirePotentialUpdate

Through the outlook, potential impacts from a tropical system in the Gulf will create a complex fire environment. Portions of southeastern Texas could observe improve fuel dryness and limited fire danger, while regions west and north of the projected path have low probability of developing widespread elevated to critical fire weather. Increased winds are likely along and north of I-20 in Northeast Texas, North Texas, and Cross Timbers and could result in increased fire potential in dry to critically dry surface fuel, though increased clouds and increased surface moisture may promote low potential for a large fire with high resistance to control. This could change as forecast guidance becomes clearer.

The fire environment for the High Plains, Rolling Plains, Eastern Hill Country, Central Texas, South Texas, and Lower Gulf Coast will continue to support moderate potential where rainfall deficits and dry to critically dry surface fuels are present and forecast to persist. The Western Hill Country will continue to support low initial attack potential as underlying dryness persists. Increased afternoon wind speeds that will linger in the evening could cause moderate resistance to control in high-risk juniper fuels.

The fire environment will gradually improve for Western Pineywoods, Southeast Texas, Upper Gulf Coast, and portions of Central Texas as a tropical system in the gulf will increase precipitation chances, moisten surface fuels, and the lack of elevated fire weather will limit volume of initial attack potential.

On Friday, the Sub-Tropical Ridge reamplifies aloft, and limits precipitation chances. Hot dry conditions return dry surface fuels and regions that don’t receive precipitation from the tropical system could experience a return to moderate to high volume initial attack potential.

08/27/2026

Correction: Fort Hood has a wildfire (not a controlled burn) at the moment and with storms moving into the area, changing weather conditions may cause smoke to remain closer to the surface rather than dispersing upward.

As a result, residents in Copperas Cove and surrounding areas may notice increased smoke, reduced visibility in some locations, and possibly ash falling from the sky.

Please remain vigilant. While ash itself is generally not a fire-starting threat once cooled, wind can carry hot embers or firebrands away from an active burn area, which can potentially ignite spot fires.

If you see an active fire, glowing embers, or anything that appears concerning, report it to the appropriate emergency authorities.

As always, stay aware of changing conditions and use caution in areas where smoke is present.

08/27/2026

UPDATE AS OF 9:35 PM

Crews continue to make progress on several wildfires across the area:

Adams Fire — Lampasas County
161 acres | 95% contained

Yellow Square Fire — Coryell County
253 acres | 95% contained

Rio Escondido Fire — Coryell & Hamilton Counties
2,713 acres | 80% contained

All Kempner VFD resources have returned from mutual aid assignments.

As always, please remain vigilant and give first responders the space and clear access they need to safely work in affected areas.

As we prepare for what is expected to be a busier-than-normal fire season, Kempner VFD is always grateful for community donations to help keep our firefighters supplied during extended incidents and mutual aid responses.

Items we can always use include:

* Towels
* Bottled water
* Gatorade and electrolyte drinks
* Non-perishable snacks and food
* Caffeinated drinks/products

Donations can be dropped off at:

Kempner Volunteer Fire Department
315 Pecan Street
Monday–Friday
9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Thank you again for the continued support of our department and all of the first responders serving our surrounding communities.

08/26/2026

Adams Fire Update — 8:26 PM

The Adams Fire, located in the 900 block of County Road 3800, is currently estimated at 50 acres and 10% contained.

Our department will remain on scene throughout the night, providing resources and monitoring conditions to help prevent further spread.

Please use caution in the area and avoid County Road 3800 if possible to allow emergency personnel and equipment to operate safely.

08/25/2026

🚨🚨🚨🚨

While we continue to monitor the Rio Escondido Fire near Evant, there is also an active wildfire labeled the Adams Fire on FM 3800.

Kempner VFD is currently on scene alongside Evant, Adamsville, Lampasas, Lometa, the Texas A&M Forest Service, Hamilton EMS, Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office, and Gatesville.

Please avoid the area and give first responders the space and clear access they need to safely work the fire.