In April 2011, the Pinnacle wildfire destroyed 10 homes, damaged 11 homes and caused an estimated $5 million in damages across 100 acres.

A few months later, in September 2011, Central Texas residents watched as wildfires devastated the Steiner Ranch, Pedernales and Bastrop areas.

Since then, local governments and residents have become better prepared to handle wildfire threats.

Communication

The City of Austin and Travis County created the Travis County Wild Land Task Force Committee to better coordinate during emergencies.

Lisa Block, county emergency services spokeswoman, said Travis County will use social media to broadcast news updates as they happen.

"When neighborhoods are evacuating, we need a way to have people access that information when they are away from their homes," Block said.

Travis County has improved media relations. It created a second spokesperson position for emergency services and set up a dedicated phone number for reporters to get the latest news.

Community awareness

Austin and nearby cities have promoted the "Ready, Set, Go" fire preparedness materials.

Windmill Run resident Tom Thayer said the Oak Hill Fire Department presented fire safety advice to neighbors.

Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee said Travis County helped residents haul away debris from private property and promoted defensible space around homes. The brush is either hauled away to a land fill or chipped and turned into mulch.

The county has streamlined the process for getting rebuilding permits and new home value assessments.

Neighbors helping neighbors

Local charity Oak Hill Wildfire Relief ended up raising $60,000 for fire victims, Thayer said. Of that, the Austin Disaster Relief Network chipped in $5,000, and Coleman & Associates donated their $15,000 winnings from the recent Green Mobility Challenge design competition.

The charity issued rounds of checks to those affected. Neighbors organized cleanup days and rebuilt Lilly Henric's home.

"I feel so blessed and so fortunate that they crossed my path," she said. "The help that they gave me is beyond measure.

"It's not just getting the four walls of the house back. They have been here a year, and they're still coming around and checking in. It's amazing, the size of the hearts of these people."

Residents plan to create a memorial mosaic art wall.

Relief

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that it has distributed $13.8 million in recovery grants to Texas residents.

Of the $13.8 million: more than $11 million has been for rental assistance and repair grants; $2.7 million has been for personal property, medical care and funeral expenses; and $97,660 has been in disaster unemployment assistance for those who have been unable to work during the disaster.