Jester Estates is a scenic neighborhood of about 900 homes in northwest Austin, surrounded by walking trails and just 10 miles from downtown.
It is also one of the areas of central Texas that is most vulnerable to wildfires, according to firefighters.
But it is not the only high risk area in Austin.
The 2019 Wildfire Risk Report ranks the city as the fifth-highest risk in the US for a major wildfire incident, and compares it to Australia, which has been ravaged by devastating brush fires.
Firefighters from California, who have direct experience of dealing with deadly brush fires, met with concerned residents of Jester Estates on Wednesday and had their own comparison – their home state.
And it turns out that cedar doesn’t just make you sick, it could also help to spark a wildfire.