Authorities are investigating how a fire started and scorched a vernal pool at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
“It was either set a fire or something happened, we can't pinpoint exactly what happened,” Enchanted Rock Park Superintendent Doug Cochron said. Firefighters were called to the park after receiving reports of a fire on a hill there.
Local firefighters are treating the fire as arson, which doesn't sit well with frequent park visitor Samantha Lopez.
“Nature is being ruined little by little and it’s frustrating to see that people are purposely doing that,” Lopez said.
If the fire is determined to be intentionally set, it will not be the first time the park was damaged by visitors in 2016. In March, two people vandalized a large rock that greets visitors.
“Time to time we have people that don't do the right things, unfortunately,” Cochronsaid.
Charles Agawereh, 24, and Meredith Baird, 21, both of San Marcos, were arrested in April and charged with the vandalism. Hays County Jail records state Baird was released after posting bond, but Agawereh is still being held on a combined $247,000 bond.
The marks to the rock cost thousands to remove, but the marks to the pool cannot be fixed by money. A vernal pool is delicate and has to go through stages before it matures to hold plants, even animals.
"The immature vernal pools, the very new ones they house fairy shrimp which are only found in very few areas,” Cochron said.
That's why it's vital to protect them.
"Because it's something we work so hard to preserve and we pay for,” Lopez said. "Respect nature and appreciate what you have."
Staff may never know what truly happened, but visitors hope to never see any damage from a visitor again.
"That's what we're here for to make sure our kids and grandkids and great-grand kids have this wonderful place to romp around in,” Cochron said.
Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call Enchanted Rock at 830-685-3636.