• Bond would aid emergency responders: The proposed $76 million TCC bond issue would help fund a regional training center for firefighters and other emergency workers.
• Homeless woman found not guilty due to insanity in arson that killed 4: Judge backs insanity defense of woman who set blaze to keep warm
• Moyock volunteer fire department calls for help
• BRIEF: At least 100 evacuated in Mercato fire
• BRIEF: Two school playgrounds burn; juveniles cited in first fire

May 9--After firefighters from eight agencies battled eight fires Wednesday, the threat of more wildfires remains imminent.

Kerr County Sheriff W.R. "Rusty" Hierholzer said residents should use extreme caution when working with items that may create heat or sparks because of the weather conditions and the forecast of hot, dry days.

For example, one fire started by the exhaust of a mini bike or all-terrain vehicle.

A burn ban is in effect for precincts 1 and 4, but remains lifted for precincts 2 and 3.

A violation of the burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor, which carries a $500 fine.

Kerrville meteorologist Cary Burgess, who provides daily forecasts for the Times, said the wildfire danger results from very low humidity.

"Humidity levels dropped to 1 to 5 percent Wednesday afternoon, and temperatures also surpassed 90 degrees," Burgess said. "The hotter the temperature gets in a dry airmass, the more likely we are going to see fires."

Although the humidity levels will rise during the next few days, the Hill Country is not out of the woods.

"The next fire weather day that I'm concerned with, after today, will be late Sunday into Monday when a cold front and gusty winds return with low humidity behind the front," Burgess said. "Wednesday and Thursday of next week also are days of critical fire weather interests."

The largest fire Wednesday was on Byas Springs Road, where more than 800 acres burned. The fire, located 20 miles west of Kerrville, burned heavy brush, cedar and juniper.

According to the Texas Forest Service, 15 homes and 20 outbuildings were saved through firefighting efforts. The occupants of three homes had to be evacuated.

The forest service said access problems to the large fire hampered containment. The fire was under control by 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, but firefighters monitored it overnight, law enforcement officials said.

Kerr County Sheriff's Office and TFS investigators were working Thursday to determine the cause of the massive blaze.

Seven smaller fires broke out Wednesday on Cypress Creek Road, Weatherby Road, Reservation Road, Carpenter Ranch, Goat Creek Road, Vine at Turkey Spur and at U.S. 83 and Dominion.

Residents were evacuated from Reservation and Higbee roads. Two barns, a storage shed and farm implements were damaged.

According to the sheriff's office, the Carpenter Ranch fire was caused by exhaust from a mini bike or all-terrain vehicle. The Vine at Turkey Spur fire was re-ignited from a burned brush pile.

For updates on the burn ban, visit www.co.kerr.tx.us or call the 24 hour burn ban line at 792-HEAT (4328).

Agencies involved in fighting the fires were Mountain Home, Turtle Creek, Medina, Divide, Harper, Gillespie County and Ingram volunteer fire departments, the Department of Public Safety, Kerr County Road and Bridge, the Kerrville Fire Department, the forest service, Red Cross and 29 officers from the Kerr County Sheriff's Office. Several residents also provided equipment and aid.

-----

To see more of the Kerrville Daily Times or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dailytimes.com/.

Copyright (c) 2008, Kerrville Daily Times, Texas

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.