Bastrop, Texas Events, News & Stories

Bastrop, Tx–Bastrop County commissioners imposed a fresh ban on outdoor burning on Monday at the recommendation of Bastrop County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Fisher.

Fisher said the recommendation was endorsed by leaders of the county’s fire departments. The current drought, daytime temperatures and related weather conditions suggest the ban is prudent, he indicated.

The ban, in effect for much of the year, was lifted in late April after some modest rainfall dampened much of the county. There has been little rain since, however, and dangerous wildfire conditions have worsened significantly, according to Fisher.

The ban enacted June 22 is good for 45 days unless extended by further action by county commissioners.

Alum Creek, Tx–Bastrop County’s newest wildlife management organization will hold its first public meeting on Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. The Alum Creek Wildlife Management Association will conduct the session at the Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative headquarters on Texas 21 in the Lost Pines east of Bastrop.

The group is focused on Lost Pines landowners in the Alum Creek watershed who are interested in habitat conservation and preservation for the endangered Houston toad, one of the first species listed for protection under the US Endangered Species Act. The Alum Creek watershed covers much of the 124,000-acre Lost Pines toad habitat of the reclusive amphibian.

A special feature of the gathering will be an opportunity to see some of the small toads. Officials from the Houston Zoo will bring specimens which have been bred at the zoo, some of which have recently released back into the wild in the Lost Pines area east and north of Bastrop, according to Roxanne Hernandez who manages Bastrop County’s Lost Pines Habitat Conservation Plan, a program approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for protection of the Houston toad.