
The Travis County Fire Marshal’s office said: “Apparently a bird caused something to arc on the powerline” which ultimately caused this grassfire off of Selma Hughes Park Road. Houses in Steiner Ranch are up the hill from this spot. “We definitely dodged a bullet” of much greater fire damage, said Steiner resident Penny R.
By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News
On Sunday afternoon around 2:40 p.m. a grassfire was reported near 12021 Selma Hughes Park Road, not far off Quinlan Park Road on the outskirts of Steiner Ranch.
Emergency Services District 6: Lake Travis Fire and Rescue arrived on the scene as did the Austin Fire Department’s brush truck, Engine 39.
“Looks like one of the lines on the utility pole popped and caused a spark and sent some sparks to the ground and caught a little grass on fire,” said Chad Huff, LTFR lieutenant who was at the scene.
Upon further investigation, officials at the Travis County Fire Marshal’s office said: “Apparently a bird caused something to arc on the powerline.”
The fire burned roughly a 50-foot by 50-foot area in a pasture with cattle nearby.
A Steiner resident, Penny R., from Palisades Parkway called 911 and then took a video of the fire from her balcony.