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Austin faces a mounting wildfire threat, with over 94,000 homes now at moderate or greater risk—placing the city fifth nationwide for wildfire vulnerability, just behind four in California.

 

The estimated reconstruction cost for these properties exceeds $44 billion.

 

While wildfire dangers were once concentrated in West Austin, new data shows the risk now spreading into South Austin and neighborhoods west of downtown.

 

In April 2025, the City Council adopted a Wildland-Urban Interface map, increasing risk zones across Austin from 38% to 51% of the city’s habitable land.

 

To counter this escalation, stricter building codes require fire-resistant materials and special safeguards in new and renovated homes.

 

Homeowners are urged to clear flammable vegetation and take advantage of free wildfire risk assessments from the Austin Fire Department.

 

Rising dangers have pushed up insurance premiums, with some Southwest Austin homeowners seeing rates jump 23% in one year.

 

Meanwhile, partnerships with tech firms hope to improve early detection and first response, as climate change fuels the region’s wildfire risks.

The Texas State Capitol was evacuated Tuesday evening after a reported threat surfaced, coinciding with growing protests in support of State Representative Nicole Collier.

 

Protesters initially gathered inside to back Collier, who remains on the House floor in protest over new redistricting rules.

 

The demonstration moved outside after someone allegedly posted a violent threat on social media, prompting the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to clear the building and close the Capitol grounds just after 7 p.m.

 

Collier and several Democrats are refusing to leave the chamber, objecting to heightened security measures and a Republican-led redistricting plan that critics argue would reduce minority voting power.

 

DPS has identified the suspect behind the online threat but made no arrests as of Wednesday morning.

 

The Capitol is expected to reopen at 9 a.m. Wednesday, while Collier’s protest continues drawing national attention to voting rights in Texas.