On Thursday, July 31st, thunderstorms teased San Saba County with rain, but brought fire instead. Shortly after the promise of rain came to an end, two calls came into the Sheriff's Office reporting fires that were most likely started by lightning associated with the earlier thunderstorms.

The first fire was at the Alvin Nored place on County Road 310 near Wallace Creek. Initially responding to this fire were three units from the San Saba Volunteer Fire Department, as well as assistance from one unit of the Richland Springs Volunteer Fire Department. Also on the scene was a motor grader manned by a member of the SSVFD. This fire was initially controlled within approximately three hours, but crews were called back twice within the next few days. This fire was in "rough country," eventually requiring the hand cutting of a fire lane and the use of a backfire to bring the fire finally under control. Due to the high temperatures and the physical exertion necessary to cut the fire lane, one San Saba fireman was taken to the emergency room for treatment of heat related illness.

The second fire was located at the Merlane Poole property in southwest San Saba County. This fire was responded to by four units from Richland Springs, two units from Cherokee and three units from San Saba. This fire was also initially controlled within a few hours but due to high temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds, firemen were called back later to extinguish the flames again.