Travis County Commissioners recognized STAR Flight, the county’s air rescue team, Tuesday morning for its efforts in helping two Emergency Service District 1 firefighters escape a wildfire in Northwest Travis County last week.

ESD 1 Chief Donnie Norman said that multiple emergency service agencies were dispatched to fight a brush fire last week, just one day after commissioners enacted a burn ban. Norman said authorities believe the fire was accidentally started by a vehicle catalytic converter.

Emergency crews worked to contain the 100-acre fire for hours but due to shifting and humid winds the fire became uncontrollable, surrounding and trapping two firefighters.

STAR Flight was on the scene to provide aerial support and was able to communicate with two trucks on the ground to direct them to the two firefighters engulfed in the flames, Norman said. A truck reached the firefighters in time and pulled them from the flames with minutes to spare, he said.

“ESD 1 and all of Travis County owes a debt of gratitude to STAR Flight,” Norman said. “Without their life-saving services, ESD 1 would be mourning the loss of two firefighters. We are grateful to have partners like STAR Flight and look forward to our continued partnership with them in order to keep Travis County safe.”

Commissioners congratulated and thanked STAR Flight crews, commenting on the quality partnership the emergency service agencies have.

“Hats off to you for that level of coordination and relationship-building and really keeping your eye on the mission,” County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said. “We really appreciate it.”

All involved firefighters are back on duty. The burn ban in Travis County remains in place.