Wildfires rage in deep east

Aug. 28, the Red Cross Southeast and Deep East volunteers reported an update to the hard work battling wildfires in Jasper and Tyler counties, which resulted in the opening of two shelters in Jasper County and one in Tyler County to assist residents that were forced to evacuate their homes due to the large fire. Once the residents were allowed to go back into their homes, Red Cross volunteers were able to close the shelters down and open a resource center where anyone that was affected by the fire could come by and receive help.

“As of right now the wildfire has burned over 3,000 acres and it is only 80% contained,” the local Red Cross reported. “We are expecting the fire to hopefully die off in the next few days.”

Previously headquartered at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Jasper County, the group moved back to its chapter office in Orange on Aug. 29. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday for more information or to volunteer.