Firefighters Making Progress on New Bastrop Fire
Firefighters say they made progress overnight to contain another wildfire in Bastrop County. The Old Potato Fire started yesterday afternoon and has burned about a thousand acres. It was 25 percent contained, and firefighters expect that percentage to go up today. Firefighters say weather conditions helped overnight. The humidity went up and there were moderate winds. The Texas Forest Service says 28 homes were evacuated. No homes were lost and there were no injuries.
F1 Construction Continues
The Austin American-Statesman reports construction has kicked back up for the Formula One auto race track southeast of Austin.
Construction resumed Tuesday at the Formula One race track being built southeast of Austin after a near-stoppage that lasted for weeks, a delay that raised questions about the future of the $300 million project. "We just started back today," Max Chapman, construction manager for the project, said Tuesday. Chapman said contracts in excess of $100 million were authorized Tuesday and should cover most of the remaining construction. "That's mechanical, electrical, concrete frame, all phases of the project," he said. "It's the last big piece."
Austin's first F1 race is scheduled for November 2012.
How Austin Plans to Achieve Zero Waste
Austin Resource Recovery, formerly known as Austin's Solid Waste Services, has released its draft master plan for the next 30 years. It's a framework for how the city plans to achieve its zero waste goals- to drastically reduce the amount of trash going to landfills. The Solid Waste Advisory Commission will be looking over the draft plan today. You can read it here.