-
.
.
A series of wildfires in Jefferson, Hardin, Jasper and Newton counties have been contained. Aug. 20, a fire northwest of Little Cypress Road and Wilhite Road was reported contained. The fire, called in about 2:45 p.m., damaged an abandoned home.
The Texas A&M Forestry Service assisted firefighters from several Orange County fire departments in battling the blaze.
By 7 p.m., the forest service reported the 40-acre fire was 100% contained.
In Jasper County on Aug. 18, a wildfire was reported west of Kirbyville as area firefighters and the forest service battled the blaze located in the area of FM 1013 and County Road 413.
A helicopter made aerial water drops in an effort to stop the spread of the flames, while firefighters and bulldozers fought the fire on the ground.
Several Newton County fire departments and the forest service battled a 142-acre wildfire that was 100% contained Aug. 15.
According to Beech Grove Fire Chief James Gunter, firefighters from departments in Burkeville, Newton, Jasper, East End and Beech Grove were joined by five bulldozers from the forest service to fight the fire and keep it from spreading. Earlier this month, firefighters fought a 160-acre fire in the same area of the county.
Aug. 15, the Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) reported they served as mutual aid to the Batson VFD in a large bush fire in a Batson oilfield. The forest service also responded and the fire was contained after burning up 11 acres. The fire started from a downed power line and several fiberglass tanks were melted from the fire.
A burn ban remains in effect for all Southeast Texas counties.