Longview-Gregg County
Emergency Operations Center
http://txforestservice.tamu.edu
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE:Sunday, September 18, 2011
Contact:903-239-5575
Northeast Texas Fire Complex Update-Scattered Showers in Northeast Texas Provide Temporary Cooling
Northeast Texas —The Northeast Fire Complex consists of the Magnolia Complex in Marion and Gregg counties, the Bear Creek Fire in Marion and Cass counties, the Dodson Fire located in Cherokee County, the Johnson Creek and Bowles Creek Bottom fires in Rusk County, the Rhonesboro Fire in Upshur County and the Gethsemane Fire in Cass County. The current calculated acreage is 53,074 acres with 95 percent containment for the overall complex.
Firefighters are assisting Texas Forest Service in mopping up several smaller fires located within the Northeast Texas Fire Complex area. This includes the Marietta Fire north of Marietta (312 acres), the Diana Fire east of Gilmer (2,324 acres) and the Marshall Fire southeast of Harrison (1,465 acres). An inventory has been completed of all fires in Northeast Texas for the last 30 days. The inventory counted more than 200 fires that were over 5 acres in size and 89 fires over 25 acres in size.
“We are in process of prioritizing the smaller fires scattered throughout Northeast Texas and we’ll be assigning firefighters to monitor and mop up any remaining hot spots,” said Incident Commander Mike Morcom.
Last night, scattered storms brought 1/10th of an inch of rain over some areas of the fire, with as much as a quarter inch received over the Marshall Fire area. Although fire behavior is currently minimal, and the probability of new starts has temporarily lessened, any new starts will burn readily and spread.
Today’s weather calls for a 40-50 percent chance of thunderstorms, temperatures 88-91 degrees, relative humidity 44-50 percent, south winds 8-10 mph and gusty near thunderstorms. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a chance of showers, temperatures 67-70 degrees, relative humidity 92-96 percent and winds southeast 5-10 mph.
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Crews will continue to mop up and patrol the fires in the Northeast Texas Fire Complex:
The Magnolia Complex is 4,605 acres and 100 percent contained. The complex includes the Moore, Locker Plant and Old Magnolia fires. One hand crew, one dozer and six engines are assigned.
The Bear Creek Fire is 40,979 acres and 100 percent contained. Six engines and one water tender assigned.
The Dodson Fire is 1,869 acres and 100 percent contained. Crews will continue to hold the fire line and mop up hot spots south of Highway 294. Four engines assigned.
The Bowles Creek Bottom Fire is 795 acres and the Johnson Creek Fire is 2,143 acres and both fires are 100 percent contained. One hotshot crew and one engine assigned.
The Rhonesboro Fire in the Raintree Lakes area west of Gilmer is 305 acres and 100 percent contained. Crews continue to check for hot spots along the perimeter and around structures. One 20-person hand crew and three engines assigned. Structure assessments are in progress.
The Gethsemane Fire is north of Caddo Lake near the Louisiana border. The fire is 2,378 acres and 90 percent contained. Eight engines, two hotshot crews and one water tender assigned.
Air support currently assigned to the complex include a fixed wing air attack platform, two heavy helicopters (hold up to 2,000 gallons of water), one medium helicopter (holds up to 320 gallons of water) and a light helicopter for reconnaissance flights.
Disaster Assistance
The Red Cross has arranged for local charities to access the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) system for that needing disaster assistance. Through CAN, caseworkers have access to secure client information providing collaboration and ease of referral between agencies. Call 800-RED-CROSS for additional information.
Donations
Please contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross for a list of agencies that are currently accepting donations.
Recovery & Needed Donations for Displaced Animals
Texas Animal Health Service is working with AgriLIFE from the Marion and Cass County Extension Service offices; AgriLIFE will continue to provide assistance for the recovery effort. For large animal and small animal recovery, please contact Eddie Hayes at 903-277-3979.
Texas Animal Health Service, AgriLife and the Texas Department of Agriculture is working cooperatively to secure hay donations for recovered livestock. Hay donations are being accepted for horses and cattle. Drop off for animal feed is at the Linden Rodeo Arena on State Highway 8 in Linden.
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