This will be the final formal update, unless significant changes occur.
Kurk Fire, San Saba County, 1100 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Here are stats at this time: Size: 824ac Containment: 85% Structures lost: Unknown Cause: Equipment Use; Hot work The cause was determined to be equipment use, under the subcategory of hot work. Hot work is a general term that encompasses activities that cause heat, such as welding, grinding and cutting metal.
Location: Approximately 10 miles south-east of San Saba, 6 miles north-east of Cherokee Situational Update:
The Kurk Fire started on September 8th and was responded to by San Saba and Cherokee VFDs. At 1435 Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) was requested for assistance due to high fire activity in an area with heavy fuel loading. TAMFS is in unified command with local officials. Dozers engaged at the heel (rear) of the fire and began working up both flanks (sides) of the fire to remove unburnt fuels, creating a fire break.
Thursday was spent widening and improving dozer lines. Crews hiked through rough terrain, utilizing hand tools and chainsaws to mitigate areas holding heat that are inaccessible by engines. Total acreage was decreased to 824 acres due to more accurate mapping of the fire. The front passed over the fire yesterday evening bringing gusty winds, but no precipitation. The fire was impacted minimally by frontal winds.
Containment numbers will likely increase as confidence that the fire will stay within the containment lines increases.
Multiple lightning starts were reported across the line of storms that came through the area on Friday, but many were kept from getting established by rainfall. There is still potential for hold over lighting fire starts to show today as humidity decreases.
Operational Goal:
Hold fire within current footprint through the operational period. Extinguish areas still holding heat near containment lines. Improve dozer lines to align with best management practices for soil disturbance on a slope.
Weather:
Hot and dry conditions will prevail today. Light south to southeast winds are expected with an occasional gust near 15 mph by afternoon. Expect a minimum RH around 35 percent during peak heating. Expect the RH to increase to around 65 percent by midnight and a maximum RH of 100 percent by daybreak Sunday.
Aviation:
Aviation has been instrumental in controlling the spread of this fire. No aircraft is currently being utilized, but may be requested if necessary.
DRONES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE FLOWN IN THE AREA.
Firefighting aircraft cannot fly if a drone is spotted in the area.
Road closures: All roads are open.
Evacuations: No evacuations are currently in place. If you live in the area, remain aware of fire activity. Although forward progression is currently stopped, there is still potential for fire growth.
Donations: All donations for firefighters should be taken to Cherokee Volunteer Fire Department.
Look inside this edition for information from the San Saba County Sheriff’s Office on the Kurk Fire.