Llano County working with outside agencies to extinguish brush fire

Emergency officials in Llano County are working to contain a brush fire that has already burned around 500 acres of land near East State Highway 71. As of 4:30 a.m., Friday, the fire is 40% contained. Officials said that the fire was sparked by an excavator.

According to a press release, the Llano County Office of Emergency Management said that at least 10 agencies are now responding to the fire located near East Highway 71 and County Road 307. County Road 307 has been closed as a result of the fire.

Air support from the Texas Forest Service is currently assisting with the fire, according to the Llano County Office of Emergency Management, and at last check, there are no structures currently in danger. Officials say that currently the fire has not caused any evacuations. Texas A&M Forest Service says that windy conditions, terrain and dry grass have caused the fire to spread.

Many Central Texas counties are experiencing burn bans, including Mason, Burnet, Blanco, Caldwell and Fayette counties. Burn ban information is updated daily on the Texas A&M Forest Service website.