Flames engulf loblolly pines as fire
rages across the drought stricken park.

September 4, 2011 Bastrop Wildfire

The 2011 wildfire season has been devastating for Texas due to exceptional drought and heat conditions. While more than 4 million acres have burned across the state, the Bastrop County Complex fire of September 4 was the most destructive wildfire in state history. The 34,000-acre inferno destroyed over 1,600 homes and killed two people.

The Lost Pines Ablaze

High winds on that Sunday afternoon of Labor Day weekend directed the fire quickly southward toward Bastrop State Park, a beloved National Historic Landmark with structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. While roads are normally good at halting fire, the four-lane divided State Highway 21 was no match for this fire as it crossed over the highway and into the park, and also jumped Highway 71. Fire affected 96 percent of the approximately 6,565-acre park. Most notably, the fire had a significant impact on the Lost Pines ecosystem, an area of isolated loblolly pines, and home to the endangered Houston toad.

Watch video about the Bastrop Wildfire

Heavily Burned - 2,224 acres (33.6% of park)

These areas resembling a moonscape were the hottest in the park and only dead trees and ash remain. It will take years for low-growing wildflowers and shrubs to regenerate, but decades for a mature forest to become re-established.

Moderately Burned - 1,375 acres (20.8% of park)

80% of the trees perished in these burned areas, and most of the ground cover was consumed.

Lightly Burned - 1,884 acres (28.5% of park)

Over half of the trees were charred in the lightly burned areas.

Scorched - 898 acres (13.6% of park)

In just a few weeks, these areas will resemble how they looked before the fire. In addition, 232 acres (3.5% of the park) were not burned.

Burn severity map.

Saving Their Legacy

The impressive structures that the Civilian Conservation Corps boys built with native sandstone and pine wood, such as the cabins and refectory, were repeatedly threatened by the ravaging blaze. After days and nights of fighting unprecedented fire, smoke and heat, and completely exhausted, firefighters saved the historic structures for future generations to enjoy. For them, preserving the CCC legacy was the reward. A Texas Parks and Wildlife firefighter was overheard to say, "Those CCC boys would be proud."

Chase Fountain photo © Tx. Parks & Wildlife Dept.

Though the erratic fire approached the
historic refectory and swimming pool area,
firefighters' efforts to ward off the blaze were successful.

With exception of two Overlook structures
that lost their wooden roofs, all Civilian
Conservation Corps buildings, including
the cabins, survived.

One of two Civilian Conservation Corps
structures which lost wooden roofs.

All of the vegetation in the heavily
burned areas perished.

A Landscape Lost to Our Generation

Hundreds of defenders, including more than 140 TPWD employees comprising 55 certified wildland firefighters, law enforcement staff, and Incident Command personnel, together with firefighting partners from all over the country, battled the fiery monster, which eventually lost strength but wasn't 100 percent controlled until October 10 following a long-awaited rain shower. The historic structures and about 250 acres of the park were spared with the assistance of heavy equipment and resources that were on loan from commercial donors.

Because 96 percent of the park was affected by fire in some capacity, Bastrop State Park has been drastically altered. The unique Lost Pines ecosystem containing the southwestern-most cluster of loblolly pines will take decades to recover. Park staff is assessing impacts to natural resources, including the endangered Houston toads, whose main remaining stronghold has been the sandy soils of Bastrop County's Lost Pines.

Over a third of the park was heavily
burned, leaving behind a "moonscape."

Not only has the landscape been changed,
but the habitat for animals like the endangered
Houston toad will take time to heal.

For the safety of park visitors, the popular
Park Road 1C is closed from Bastrop SP to
Cottletown Road, but open from
Cottletown Rd. east to Buescher SP.

A drive along Park Road 1A near the
Scenic Overlook reveals a new
perspective into the forest.

New growth continues.

Rediscover the "Lost Pines"

Since the fire began on September 4, the park has already undergone noticeable changes to heal itself. Brief but welcome rains have sprouted a little greenery here and there. Even a wide variety of wildlife has returned to the park, including deer, woodpeckers, owls, lizards, roadrunners, squirrels and osprey. Park visitors will have opportunities to glimpse more wildlife and make new discoveries as they learn to experience the park differently.

Parks and Wildlife staff are assessing fire damages to the natural and cultural resources and working on long-term recovery plans. A limited number of park areas and campsites will reopen on December 2, with more to follow in the spring.

Visit the Bastrop State Park web page for more information or to reserve a campsite.

How You Can Help Bastrop State Park

Since the fire, the public outpouring of support has been incredible. We appreciate your patience as we assess the large-scale damages to the park's natural resources.

There are three ways you can help with the ecological restoration of the park:

Nature's resilience is demonstrated as
green emerges through the ashes.

Mail a tax-deductible donation to support the Bastrop Recovery Project:
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
  Attn: Cashiers
  4200 Smith School Rd.
  Austin, TX 78744
  On the memo line note: Bastrop Recovery Project--Habitat Restoration
- If you would like to donate your time or specialty items for both the short- and long-term restoration and stewardship of the park, please provide your contact information and area of interest to: katie.raney@tpwd.state.tx.us
- If you have suggestions or want to comment on the restoration and stewardship effort, please e-mail your remarks to: david.riskind@tpwd.state.tx.us
Make a donation to the Friends of the Lost Pines State Parks
- This nonprofit fundraising and service group was organized to assist in the promotion, interpretation and operation of Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. For more information, visit the Friends of Lost Pines State Parks web site.
Donate online to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation
- Your donation to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's official nonprofit partner is 100% tax-deductible and will be used to fund priority conservation and recreation needs, including keeping state parks open. You can donate online, or print and fill out the Donation Form.

The loblolly pines of Copperas Creek
campground were mainly unscathed.

Staff from parks all over the state assist
with efforts to cut down hazardous trees.

Any trees with green leaves or needles are
marked as trees to save from the loggers.

Mulch from dead trees is being re-purposed for
Houston toad pond edges and erosion control.

A growing number of wildlife is
seen in the park every day.

Get a 360 degree view of some areas of the Park after the wildfire.

Look closely. Although a third of the park was heavily burned, sprouting oak trees dot the forest floor.
This image was taken in December 2011.

A view from the Civilian Conservation Corps scenic overlook structure reveals only the loss of the roof.
This image was taken in December 2011.

Can you see the forest for the trees? The lightly burned areas of the park more closely resemble the forest after a prescribed burn, so the big picture for these areas is promising!
This image was taken in December 2011.

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