Red flag warning issued

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning Tuesday morning, which comes as no surprise to Lampasans who have been following the Lucy Creek and Kirby Creek wildfires. 
According to Lampasas Volunteer Fire Department officials, the 60-acre Lucy Creek fire was contained as of 7 p.m. Monday evening. 
A second fire, titled the Kirby Creek fire by the Texas A&M Forest Service, was reported northwest of Lometa in the area of County Road 2535 and CR 2509. Lometa Volunteer Fire Department officials reported it as contained as of 8 p.m. 
A red flag warning, signaling high risk of fire and fire spread, is in effect from noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday for Lampasas, Coryell, Bell and surrounding counties, especially those along the Interstate 35 corridor. 
NWS meteorologists cited temperatures between 103 and 109 degrees, humidity as low as 20% and winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts of up to 20 mph as the primary factors for the warning. 
A red flag warning means extreme fire weather conditions are either occurring or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and dry vegetation can contribute to extreme fire behavior. 
Avoid all outside burning and welding today. Do not toss lighted cigarette butts outside. Report wildfires to the nearest fire department or law enforcement office.
An excessive heat warning and hazardous weather outlook also were issued at 4:11 a.m. and 3:52 a.m., respectively, citing heat indices of up to 112 degrees and possible storm activity this afternoon. 
“Isolated storms are possible across parts of North Texas through the afternoon,” according to the weather service statement. “Gusty winds will be possible with any stronger storms that develop.”
The statement added that critical fire risk will continue throughout the week. 
“Triple-digit temperatures and dangerously high heat index values will continue the potential for heat-related illnesses each afternoon across most areas. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will continue daily as hot, dry and breezy conditions persist.”

LUCY CREEK FIRE
At 7 p.m. Monday, Lampasas Volunteer Fire Department stated on social media the Lucy Creek fire was contained. By midnight, officials said crews had left the scene. 
“Fire units have cleared and returned home for the night,” fire officials said. “Water operations will be continued in the morning and mop-up of the area conducted by TFS [Texas A&M Forest Service] and TIFMAS [The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System]. We were able to fully stop the fire spread and contain it. Thank you to all the neighboring agencies that responded to assist with this fire, and thank you to HEB and Lampasas County citizens for providing fire crews with meals to keep us going.”
Kempner Volunteer Fire Department officials released the following statement on social media at 6 p.m. Monday. 
“Many of you may notice the fires from last night have re-ignited to the north. Again, please stay away from the area. Lampasas FD and the Forestry Service have been on scene all night with Kempner VFD joining them again since noon. Additional support has now been called in from other fire departments. 
“We thank the community for the donation of the pizzas last night for the Lampasas FD and Kempner VFD; it was needed. 
“For those firefighters that have been out there today, it would be greatly appreciated if the community would be willing to donate cold sandwiches this evening. After being in the heat for so many hours, cold food is greatly appreciated. Please contact this page if you are willing to donate cold sandwiches, and we can set up a drop-off time at Kempner VFD. Lampasas FD should have a skeleton crew there to receive any food drop-offs.”
Lampasas Cattle Auction has offered space in the barn to house animals displaced by the fires. Call 512-902-3540 for more information.