Posted 10:10 pm Wednesday, September 07, 2011
UPDATE: Smith County Officials Looking For Man Believed To Have Started Fires, Endangering Lives
Updated Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 10:01 p.m. CDT
As wildfires continue to rage across East Texas burning thousands of acres and dozens of homes, Smith County authorities are actively searching for a man they believe may be intentionally setting fires endangering the lives of residents and firefighters.
Smith County Reserve Fire Marshal Jay Brooks said several fires in the county including the Wednesday fire on County Road 26 are suspicious and may have been set by an arsonist.
Brooks said information was developed by Smith County Sheriff's deputies that a black male driving a silver Ford Thunderbird with a black convertible top may have set several fires in the county in the past several weeks.
Smith County Reserve Fire Marshal Jay Brooks said several fires in the county including the Wednesday fire on County Road 26 are suspicious and may have been set by an arsonist.
Brooks said information was developed by Smith County Sheriff's deputies that a black male driving a silver Ford Thunderbird with a black convertible top may have set several fires in the county in the past several weeks.
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Officials with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said the fire which forced Tuesday's evacuations is still burning uncontained.
Officials with the sheriff's office said the fire runs north of the river to County Road 343, west to Farm-to-Market Road 851 to Texas Highway 21. That area was evacuated last night and remains closed, officials said.
The fire crossed the Angelina River from Nacogdoches County to Cherokee County around 10 p.m. last night, dispatchers with the Alto Fire Department said Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Texas Forest Service, the fire, which began in Nacogdoches County, has burned roughly 4,000 acres. The Texas Forest Service, Alto Volunteer Fire Department and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are among the crews battling the blaze.
Kelly Curry, with the Alto Fire Department, said people wishing to donate to the effort can do so to any Cherokee County volunteer department. Crews are in need of bottled water, sports drinks like Gatorade, and money for fuel, she said.
A prayer vigil will be held tonight at 8:15 at the Alto Volunteer Fire Department, located at 402 San Antonio Road in Alto next to city hall, Curry said.
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Officials with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said the fire which forced Tuesday's evacuations is still burning uncontained.
Officials with the sheriff's office said the fire runs north of the river to County Road 343, west to Farm-to-Market Road 851 to Texas Highway 21. That area was evacuated last night and remains closed, officials said.
The fire crossed the Angelina River from Nacogdoches County to Cherokee County around 10 p.m. last night, dispatchers with the Alto Fire Department said Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Texas Forest Service, the fire, which began in Nacogdoches County, has burned roughly 4,000 acres. The Texas Forest Service, Alto Volunteer Fire Department and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are among the crews battling the blaze.
Kelly Curry, with the Alto Fire Department, said people wishing to donate to the effort can do so to any Cherokee County volunteer department. Crews are in need of bottled water, sports drinks like Gatorade, and money for fuel, she said.
A prayer vigil will be held tonight at 8:15 at the Alto Volunteer Fire Department, located at 402 San Antonio Road in Alto next to city hall, Curry said.
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Updated Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 4:18 p.m. CDT
A 62-acre fire off County Road 355 between Palestine and Jacksonville is under control. Firefighters were able to suppress the blaze late Wednesday, said Nacogdoches forestry expert John Hawkins.
The area is heavily wooded and used primarily for logging. Three plows from the Texas Forest Service and emergency personnel from Neches 84 East, Elmwood and Frankston worked to contain the blaze.
The cause of the blaze has not been determined.
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The area is heavily wooded and used primarily for logging. Three plows from the Texas Forest Service and emergency personnel from Neches 84 East, Elmwood and Frankston worked to contain the blaze.
The cause of the blaze has not been determined.
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Updated Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 3:42 p.m. CDT
A Rusk County fire is threatening to move into Smith County, the Smith County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday afternoon.
The fire at county roads 4114 and 4117 in Rusk County is threatening to cross over into Smith County at county roads 2115 and 2117. If the fire does cross over, one farm will be in danger. This is an otherwise unpopulated area.
Smith County firefighters are actively battling blazes at County Road 240. There are mandatory evacuations between County Road 233 and County Road 26.
Crews are fighting the blaze at CR 26. This fire is approximately five blocks away from the Jackson Heights fire Monday night. Six to seven houses are currently in danger.
Smith County Assistant Fire Marshal Jay Brooks said people who live on County Road 26 are being allowed in to get a few belongings and then get out quickly. People who do not live on the street are not being allowed in.
In Gregg County, there is a mandatory evacuation in Gregg County, north of Wilkins Road and East of Highway 135. It includes Meridian Street, Omaha Street and Spokane Street. This is a residential area.
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The fire at county roads 4114 and 4117 in Rusk County is threatening to cross over into Smith County at county roads 2115 and 2117. If the fire does cross over, one farm will be in danger. This is an otherwise unpopulated area.
Smith County firefighters are actively battling blazes at County Road 240. There are mandatory evacuations between County Road 233 and County Road 26.
Crews are fighting the blaze at CR 26. This fire is approximately five blocks away from the Jackson Heights fire Monday night. Six to seven houses are currently in danger.
Smith County Assistant Fire Marshal Jay Brooks said people who live on County Road 26 are being allowed in to get a few belongings and then get out quickly. People who do not live on the street are not being allowed in.
In Gregg County, there is a mandatory evacuation in Gregg County, north of Wilkins Road and East of Highway 135. It includes Meridian Street, Omaha Street and Spokane Street. This is a residential area.
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Updated Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 3:05 p.m. CDT
Homes on County Roads 26, 233, 240 and 246 in Smith County are being evacuated due to approaching fires.
The roads are in the New Chapel Hill and Jackson areas.
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The roads are in the New Chapel Hill and Jackson areas.
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Updated Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 2:53 p.m. CDT
Homes and structures on at least four Rusk County roads near the Smith County border are being evacuated, as firefighters have been unable to control an advancing grass fire.
State troopers are being sent to homes on County Roads 4112, 4114, 4117 and 1115 to evacuate anyone in the structures.
Use of helicopters to drop water on the flames was ineffective in stopping the advancement of the blaze.
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State troopers are being sent to homes on County Roads 4112, 4114, 4117 and 1115 to evacuate anyone in the structures.
Use of helicopters to drop water on the flames was ineffective in stopping the advancement of the blaze.
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Updated Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 12:41 p.m. CDT
The Texas Forestry Service has pulled plows from the site of a grass fire burning in Rusk County near County Road 4117 because the fire is approaching too fast.
A spotter plane is in the air, and two helicopters are on scene to attempt to drop water on the fire.
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A spotter plane is in the air, and two helicopters are on scene to attempt to drop water on the fire.
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Updated Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 12:12 p.m. CDT
Firefighters from Arp and Chapel Hill had help from Union Pacific Railroad workers to control a fire near the intersection of County Road 251 and Highway 135 in Arp this morning.
The Union Pacific workers used shovels to suppress a fire before it advanced to a large pile of old tires.
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The Union Pacific workers used shovels to suppress a fire before it advanced to a large pile of old tires.
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TylerPaper.com video
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By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
BULLARD — As the worst wildfires in decades burn across East Texas, every victory is celebrated, and firefighters in Bullard on Tuesday afternoon claimed a win.
Firefighters from multiple departments and the Texas Forest Service spent hours putting up a bold stand to protect a neighborhood in imminent danger and nearby homes in Kiepersol Estates. Nine homes were evacuated in that area.
Dixie Fire Chief Terry Rozell held the radio's mic in his hand and scanned the tree lined pasture in front of the command center on County Road 119.
Staff Writer
BULLARD — As the worst wildfires in decades burn across East Texas, every victory is celebrated, and firefighters in Bullard on Tuesday afternoon claimed a win.
Firefighters from multiple departments and the Texas Forest Service spent hours putting up a bold stand to protect a neighborhood in imminent danger and nearby homes in Kiepersol Estates. Nine homes were evacuated in that area.
Dixie Fire Chief Terry Rozell held the radio's mic in his hand and scanned the tree lined pasture in front of the command center on County Road 119.
“What's it looking like over there?” he asked one of the firefighters in the fire. “I feel pretty good about it.”
The enthusiastic reply came back over the radio, “I'm feeling really good about it.”
Resident Carl Prentice, who was at work when his wife told him that she had been evacuated, expressed his concerns.
“You could smell smoke all night long (Monday),” he said. “I wanted to be here (Tuesday) to make sure it was under control before I go back to work, or if I go back to work. This is as close as it's been so far. It started probably about two miles away and made progress since.”
Prentice added, “You see this stuff on television. … There's always a chance (something could happen).”
He planned to stay at his home Tuesday night as long as he could get back in.
The enthusiastic reply came back over the radio, “I'm feeling really good about it.”
Resident Carl Prentice, who was at work when his wife told him that she had been evacuated, expressed his concerns.
“You could smell smoke all night long (Monday),” he said. “I wanted to be here (Tuesday) to make sure it was under control before I go back to work, or if I go back to work. This is as close as it's been so far. It started probably about two miles away and made progress since.”
Prentice added, “You see this stuff on television. … There's always a chance (something could happen).”
He planned to stay at his home Tuesday night as long as he could get back in.
By 8 p.m. Tuesday, the roads were reopened and the Bullard fire was 100 percent contained, but multiple fires across the region had emergency crews strained.
Texas Forest Service officials said more than 40,000 acres continue to burn in the East Texas area; two people were killed Sunday, and dozens of homes have been lost. But across Texas since Thursday, hundreds of homes have been lost in the fires.
According to the National Weather Service, winds associated from Tropical Storm Lee, which hit Louisiana on Friday, mixed with low humidity and the already dry conditions set up the perfect recipe for fire.
Arp firefighter Penny Wilson spent her third day battling fire on Tuesday as she and firefighters worked a large fire in Rusk County.
Texas Forest Service officials said more than 40,000 acres continue to burn in the East Texas area; two people were killed Sunday, and dozens of homes have been lost. But across Texas since Thursday, hundreds of homes have been lost in the fires.
According to the National Weather Service, winds associated from Tropical Storm Lee, which hit Louisiana on Friday, mixed with low humidity and the already dry conditions set up the perfect recipe for fire.
Arp firefighter Penny Wilson spent her third day battling fire on Tuesday as she and firefighters worked a large fire in Rusk County.
“We're all tired and just worn out. I have slept maybe five hours in the past three days, but we really don't have a choice but keep going,” she said earlier in the day as she checked a fire off County Road 261.
Smith County Judge Joel Baker issued a declaration of disaster for Smith County on Monday. Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton said the county is in the process of meeting federal guidelines to be declared a disaster area. That designation would help the county receive federal funds to recoup losses and to help with small business loans.
But victims such as Corey Phillips, who lost his home on Smith County Road 239 on Monday, wondered whether federal funds will help with housing.
Smith County Judge Joel Baker issued a declaration of disaster for Smith County on Monday. Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton said the county is in the process of meeting federal guidelines to be declared a disaster area. That designation would help the county receive federal funds to recoup losses and to help with small business loans.
But victims such as Corey Phillips, who lost his home on Smith County Road 239 on Monday, wondered whether federal funds will help with housing.
Phillips looked at the remains of his home Tuesday and sighed as he uttered, “Jesus.”
Phillips said he saw the fire coming Monday afternoon and was able to get his horses to safety.
“Before I could get back, the fire had jumped the road. I lost everything, and right now, I'm just staying with friends,” he said looking at the still-smoldering pile of rubble.
At the end of the road, every piece of a company's timber cutting equipment was destroyed.
Seaton could not recall the timber company's name but said the owner did not have enough insurance to cover his losses.
“He told us that the fire has ruined him and that he is now out of business,” he said.
But officials pointed out that property, unlike lives, can be replaced.
“We got lucky that we didn't have anyone killed in the fire. We lost several homes, but we didn't have any loss of life or injuries,” Assistant Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said.
Seaton said due to the continuing outbreak, a complete assessment of exactly how many homes had been lost since Friday has not been calculated.
“We haven't had time to finish with one fire before another breaks out and we have to go to that location,” he said.
Officials with the Texas Forest Service said fires in Cass County continue to burn southward. So far, the service is battling three fires which began Monday and a fourth which has been raging since Sunday.
The Sunday fire, known as the Bear Creek fire, has burned about 30,000 acres, officials said. The fire is burning through a pine plantation, which provides ample concentrated fuel sources, making the blaze more difficult to control. No structures or injuries have been reported, the service said.
If the blazes continue to move south, the fire is headed toward Marion and Harrison counties, but wind patterns, driven by a cold front in the region, are expected to shift in a clockwise manner, officials said.
Rusk County Sheriff's officials, as of 7 p.m. Tuesday, issued evacuations for county roads 4110D and 4113. Residents who lived south of the intersections of county roads 476 and 477 were evacuated earlier in the afternoon because of approaching fire. According to KYTX CBS19, Carlisle ISD in Rusk County was evacuated at one point on Tuesday.
In Gregg County, a fire that killed a 20-year-old woman and her 18-month-old daughter Sunday caused evacuations when it jumped fire lanes and a roadway, but no additional injuries were known.
In Upshur County, a fire near Diana forced evacuations on Tuesday. A 3,500-acre fire in Nacogdoches County also closed a section of Texas Highway 21 and caused evacuations of several communities.
With humidity expected to remain low with winds averaging between 15 and 20 mph for the remainder of the week, firefighters not only worry additional fires will continue to develop, but whether resources will be available to fight them.
“We're all worried that the big one could happen. All it will take is one spark in the right area and we could have a real big problem,” Mrs. Wilson said.
Staff writers Kelly Gooch and Tim Monzingo contributed to this report.
Phillips said he saw the fire coming Monday afternoon and was able to get his horses to safety.
“Before I could get back, the fire had jumped the road. I lost everything, and right now, I'm just staying with friends,” he said looking at the still-smoldering pile of rubble.
At the end of the road, every piece of a company's timber cutting equipment was destroyed.
Seaton could not recall the timber company's name but said the owner did not have enough insurance to cover his losses.
“He told us that the fire has ruined him and that he is now out of business,” he said.
But officials pointed out that property, unlike lives, can be replaced.
“We got lucky that we didn't have anyone killed in the fire. We lost several homes, but we didn't have any loss of life or injuries,” Assistant Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said.
Seaton said due to the continuing outbreak, a complete assessment of exactly how many homes had been lost since Friday has not been calculated.
“We haven't had time to finish with one fire before another breaks out and we have to go to that location,” he said.
Officials with the Texas Forest Service said fires in Cass County continue to burn southward. So far, the service is battling three fires which began Monday and a fourth which has been raging since Sunday.
The Sunday fire, known as the Bear Creek fire, has burned about 30,000 acres, officials said. The fire is burning through a pine plantation, which provides ample concentrated fuel sources, making the blaze more difficult to control. No structures or injuries have been reported, the service said.
If the blazes continue to move south, the fire is headed toward Marion and Harrison counties, but wind patterns, driven by a cold front in the region, are expected to shift in a clockwise manner, officials said.
Rusk County Sheriff's officials, as of 7 p.m. Tuesday, issued evacuations for county roads 4110D and 4113. Residents who lived south of the intersections of county roads 476 and 477 were evacuated earlier in the afternoon because of approaching fire. According to KYTX CBS19, Carlisle ISD in Rusk County was evacuated at one point on Tuesday.
In Gregg County, a fire that killed a 20-year-old woman and her 18-month-old daughter Sunday caused evacuations when it jumped fire lanes and a roadway, but no additional injuries were known.
In Upshur County, a fire near Diana forced evacuations on Tuesday. A 3,500-acre fire in Nacogdoches County also closed a section of Texas Highway 21 and caused evacuations of several communities.
With humidity expected to remain low with winds averaging between 15 and 20 mph for the remainder of the week, firefighters not only worry additional fires will continue to develop, but whether resources will be available to fight them.
“We're all worried that the big one could happen. All it will take is one spark in the right area and we could have a real big problem,” Mrs. Wilson said.
Staff writers Kelly Gooch and Tim Monzingo contributed to this report.
