Crabapple Fire Near Fredericksburg: 8,640-Acre Wildfire Prompts Evacuations in Gillespie County

The Crabapple Fire near Fredericksburg, Texas, has exploded to 8,640 acres with 0% containment as of March 15, 2025. Get the latest on evacuations, Fredericksburg wildfire updates, and how to help first responders battling this massive blaze.

Fredericksburg wildfire, Crabapple Fire, Texas A&M Forest Service, evacuation updates

Crabapple Fire Rages Near Fredericksburg: 8,640 Acres Burned and Counting

A massive wildfire, dubbed the Crabapple Fire, erupted near Fredericksburg, Texas, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, growing from 400 acres to a staggering 8,640 acres by 4:20 PM PDT, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. With 0% containment, fire crews in Gillespie County, supported by air resources from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), are fighting to stop its advance. Evacuations are underway, and the Fredericksburg Fire EMS is urging residents to prepare as embers spark new fires up to half a mile away. Here’s everything you need to know about this developing Texas wildfire crisis.

Fredericksburg Wildfire Explodes: From 400 to 8,640 Acres in Hours

What started as a 400-acre grass fire in the 8700 block of Lower Crabapple Road at 1 PM PDT has spiraled into an 8,640-acre monster by late Saturday afternoon. The Fredericksburg Fire EMS reported the blaze crossed Highway 16 North and is now barreling toward FM 1631, driven by 45 mph wind gusts under a Red Flag Warning across most of Texas. “At this point, there is no containment,” said Fire Chief Lynn Bizzell in a news release. “Our goal is to stop the forward progress with air support from TDEM and the Texas A&M Forest Service while protecting structures.”

Evacuation Updates: Who’s Affected and Where to Go

As of 4:20 PM PDT, evacuation orders are in effect for areas between Highway 16 North and FM 1631, and between Ranch Road 1323 and Ranch Road 2721. The Fredericksburg Fire Department is evacuating residents as needed, urging those in the fire’s path to leave immediately. For those displaced, a shelter is open at Faith Baptist Church (3022 N. State Highway 16, Fredericksburg, TX 78624). Smoke is visible across the region, even reaching Austin, prompting the Austin Fire Department to address 911 calls about the haze. “We believe this smoke is from the Crabapple Fire,” they noted on social media.

How to Help: Donations for Fredericksburg Firefighters

The Friends of Fredericksburg Fire EMS are rallying support for the exhausted crews battling the Crabapple Fire. If you’d like to help, drop off donations at Central Station Fredericksburg Fire Department (126 West Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78264). Requested items include:

Cases of water

Cases of electrolyte drinks

No food items are needed at this time. “Our resources are stretched thin protecting structures as embers fly half a mile,” Chief Bizzell added, highlighting the urgency of community support.

Firefighting Efforts: Ground Crews and Air Support in Action

All Gillespie County fire departments are on the scene, joined by air suppression units from the Texas A&M Forest Service and TDEM. Crews are working behind the fireline to douse ember-sparked blazes, which are igniting new fires up to half a mile away. The Texas A&M Forest Service active fires map shows the Crabapple Fire as a top priority, with no containment achieved by 5:21 PM PDT. The combination of dry conditions, high winds, and a burn ban in effect since March 10 has created a perfect storm for this wildfire’s rapid spread.

Texas Hill Country Under Siege: A Broader Severe Weather Crisis

The Fredericksburg wildfire is part of a larger severe weather outbreak plaguing the U.S. Earlier this week, tornadoes and wildfires ravaged Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, killing at least 18 and leaving widespread destruction. Closer to home, a fast-spreading fire near San Antonio’s Southeast Side earlier this month forced evacuations, with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office blocking off I-37. Now, an hour from San Antonio, Fredericksburg faces its own battle as smoke and flames threaten the Texas Hill Country.

Red Flag Warning: Why This Fire Is So Dangerous

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for most of Texas through 9 PM PDT Saturday, bringing low humidity and wind gusts up to 45 mph—prime conditions for wildfire growth. The National Weather Service warns that these conditions, paired with a burn ban in Gillespie County, amplify the Crabapple Fire’s threat. Residents are urged to stay alert, as evacuation orders could expand depending on the fire’s unpredictable path.

What’s Next for Fredericksburg and Gillespie County?

As of 5:21 PM PDT on March 15, 2025, the Crabapple Fire shows no signs of slowing, with its size ballooning from 400 acres reported at 2 PM to 8,640 acres by 4:20 PM. The Fredericksburg Fire EMS promises updates as conditions evolve, and the Texas A&M Forest Service continues to monitor via its active fires map. With severe storms, including tornadoes and dust storms, already wreaking havoc nationwide—such as a deadly dust storm in Texas’ Panhandle—this wildfire adds to a chaotic weather week. Stay tuned for the latest evacuation updates and fire status.

Safety Tips and How to Stay Informed

If you’re near Fredericksburg:

Prepare to Evacuate: Pack essentials and listen to ground crews.

Avoid the Area: Keep roads clear for emergency responders.

Monitor Updates: Follow Fredericksburg Fire EMS on Facebook or check the Texas A&M Forest Service website.

This is a developing story—check back for real-time developments on this Texas wildfire.