AUSTIN (KXAN) — Firefighters continue to battle the Crabapple Fire near Fredericksburg. The fire has burned more than 9,700 acres, prompting evacuations in Gillespie County. Smoke from the fire was blown into the Austin metro area over the weekend, as strong winds persisted.

Strong winds are pushing smoke and ash from the Crabapple Fire near Fredricksburg east toward Austin, according to the National Weather Service.

A wildfire that ignited near Fredericksburg on Saturday, which could be seen as far as Austin, is still less than 50-percent contained. The Crabapple Fire has put most parts of Central and South Texas under a "Red Flag Warning" as strong gusts of wind move throughout the region,