Proclamation Recognizing the Oak Hill and Oak Grove Fires First Responders

WHEREAS, on August 8th, 2023, just before 2 p.m., a fast-moving wildfire erupted in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Kyle and quickly consumed approximately 15 acres, forcing evacuations and bringing emergency crews, including aerial support, to our community to fight the blaze; and 

WHEREAS, regional and local first responders including the Kyle Fire Department, South Hays Fire Department, San Marcos Fire Department, North Hays County Fire Rescue, Wimberley Fire Department, San Marcos/Hays County EMS, Hays County Office of Emergency Services (OES), Taylor EMS, Grand Prairie Fire Department, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF), Texas Department of Emergency Management Hays County, Kyle Police Department and Hays County Wildland Taskforce, jumped into action to stop the flames, saving lives and approximately 50 homes; and 

WHEREAS, local organizations including the Kyle Parks and Recreation Department, Kyle Public Library, St. Anthony Catholic Church, Kyle First Baptist Church, and H-E-B, opened their doors to provide shelter, support and resources to those temporarily displaced by the fires; and 

WHEREAS, Kyle Public Works Department staff, showed bravery and resourcefulness by getting City water trucks to places along the fire’s perimeter to stop the progress of the flames; and  

WHEREAS, the City of Kyle activated the Emergency Operations Center at the new Kyle Public Safety Center for the first time, allowing for more efficient response and updates to the community throughout this emergency event; and 

WHEREAS, no structures were damaged, and no people were harmed due to the massive regional and community response only days after many of the same agencies, including South Hays Fire Department, San Marcos Fire Department, North Hays County Fire Rescue, Kyle Fire Department, Buda Fire Department, Wimberley Fire Rescue, Austin Fire Department, Texas A&M Forest Service, Travis County Fire Rescue, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Hays County Community Emergency Response Team, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Hays County EMS and Wimberley Fire Department, responded to the Oak Grove Fire in the San Marcos area that consumed approximately 400 acres including 1 structure, with no lives lost. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Kyle City Council does hereby recognize and commend the first responders and regional organizations for their extraordinary work under extreme conditions during the Oak Hill and Oak Grove Fires. 

SIGNED AND ENTERED THIS 15th DAY OF AUGUST, 2023. 

Travis Mitchell, Mayor Bear Heiser, District 1  

Michael Tobias, Mayor Pro Tem

Yvonne Flores-Cale, District 2 

Miguel Zuniga, District 3 

Ashlee Bradshaw, District 4 

Daniela Parsley, District 5