Editor's note: This story was updated to include information from Williamson County and Cedar Park officials.

Updated 11:40 a.m. Aug. 9

Local emergency responders have contained 60% of a 50-acre brush fire that broke out in Cedar Park on Aug. 8 as of 8:15 a.m. Aug. 9. The fire resulted in the loss of one 24-unit apartment building, the destruction of three other buildings, evacuation orders for nearby residents and a water conservation request.

Firefighters are working Aug. 9 to completely contain the fire with assistance from Texas A&M Forest Service, and many residents are now able to return to their homes, Cedar Park fire Chief James Mallinger said.

“Overnight firefighters made significant efforts in fighting the Parmer Lane fire," Mallinger said in an Aug. 9 news conference. "Firefighters protected the Whitestone Landing Townhomes and the [Bexley at Silverado] apartment complex all night long."


The city is asking residents to avoid roadways adjacent to the fire near apartment complex Bexley at Silverado, located at 12820 W. Parmer Lane, Cedar Park, including West Parmer Lane and East Whitestone Boulevard. The northbound side of West Parmer Lane is closed from East Whitestone Boulevard to Ranch Trails.

What's happening?

Multiple building complexes were affected by the fire and asked to evacuate, including the Bexley at Silverado, Whitestone Landing Townhomes and nearby businesses, Mallinger said. One 24-unit apartment building was lost at Bexley, and three were damaged. Firefighters were able to protect Whitestone Landing Townhomes, located at 3240 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park, according to the city.

About 50 acres of grass were burned by the fire, and about 300 apartment units, 95 townhomes and multiple businesses were evacuated, according to city officials. The wildfire began as a grass fire and spread to trees and then reached the Bexley apartment buildings, Mallinger said.


Residents of Bexley and Whitestone Landing Townhomes were allowed to return home, Mallinger said; however, residents of the destroyed 24-unit Bexley building would not have access. Fire crews are working with maintenance to restore power to the three damaged Bexley buildings, Mallinger said.

“We are asking though that they take caution,” Mallinger said. “There's a lot of burned out areas around their homes. There's damage around their homes. We don't want people getting injured.”

Police and the city are asking that only residents come to the area as emergency responders handle the fire. As of press time, there were zero major injuries and two minor injuries.

What you need to know


Many residents in the area were displaced due to the call for evacuation. Shelter and services form the Red Cross are available at Hill Country Bible Church, 3351 Little Elm, Cedar Park, for residents in need of assistance or by calling 800-733-2767.

"We have neighbors that are in need. If you can step up tonight, if you know of someone that has been displaced, let’s do what we do in Williamson County. Let’s bring them in, let’s welcome them, and let’s take care of them tonight," Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said Aug. 8.

The city of Cedar Park is also asking residents to conserve water and not water their lawns through the morning of Aug. 11 to allow the city's water tanks to refill so firefighters can continue to respond to the scene, Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin said. He also encouraged residents to support the American Red Cross and look for ways to protect their homes from wildfire damage.

"Fire climbs like a ladder. A small grass fire comes through the trees and potentially into your home," Penniman-Morin said in a video posted to social media. "Please do what you can to look around your home, identify any potential sources of fire and mitigate those."


What they're saying

Emergency responders were called to the scene around 6 p.m., and police alerted residents of the fire via X at 6:36 p.m. Aug. 8. About 10 minutes later, the CPPD reported the fire was impacting surrounding structures and resulting in significant traffic as well. Multiple fire crews responded to the fire overnight and two

bulldozer crews from the Texas A&M Forest Services created a containment line around the perimeter to prevent the fire from spreading, Mallinger said.

"I just want to thank everybody, all the 20 agencies and several hundred firefighters from neighboring cities as well as our own, that have responded within one minute of this fire starting," Penniman-Morin said.


He said the city would share more information about how residents can protect their homes as the risk of wildfires increases.

"With a summer like we’ve had, with this kind of heat and the wind we had yesterday, that this is a danger that has always been present," Penniman-Morin said. "It’s worse than it ever has been this summer, and it’s quite likely to be worse in the future if you look at the scientific evidence out there. It’s really important that every community continues to work on ways to prevent fire and mitigate the risk from it."

Stay tuned

The CPPD will continue to provide updates on X as they are available, according to the department. City officials will provide another media briefing at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 9, Mallinger said.

This is a developing story and will be updated with new information.