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Austin, Travis County officials urge residents to prepare as wildfire risk rises
Summary
City and county leaders described recent evacuation drills, unveiled a multi-jurisdictional protection plan and urged residents to sign up for alert systems and request neighborhood presentations ahead of a Nov. 19 public meeting.
Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown on Tuesday urged Austinites to prepare for an elevated wildfire season, citing drought, high winds and a recent District 10 evacuation exercise as examples of growing local risk.
"We are the fifth in the nation for the number of homes at risk from wildfires," Mayor Kirk Watson said, noting small embers can spark major damage when conditions are dry. Watson framed the city's outreach push around a "No Ember November" awareness effort and said officials plan ongoing community sessions in other council districts.
Judge Andy Brown described a collaborative protection plan—building on work first started in 2003—that will identify vulnerable areas,…
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