KTBB News, Weather, Talk

RUSK COUNTY — People in Rusk County are being asked to avoid certain stretches of road while firefighters try and get a handle on flames there. There’s still no word on just how large this one is, but firefighters say they’re actively battling flames. Drivers are being urged to avoid South Highway 42 from South Highway 64 to Highway 79 South. Some Rusk Countians are being told to stay away from their homes. Rusk County authorities tell KETK County Roads 4110 and 4113 in Price are still closed. The fire there is only 40 percent contained. People living on and around County road 476 are being allowed back home. FM 850 about one and a half miles west of Highway 42 in New London is now reopened to traffic. The Carlisle ISD called off classes for Wednesday, but classes in Carlisle resume Thursday.

CASS COUNTY — As wildfires continue to rage through Cass County, having already claimed about 30,000 acres of land, the county judge has declared the area a disaster area. County Judge Charles L. McMichael on Tuesday issued a declaration of disaster for Cass County saying the county is “under imminent threat of severe damage, injury of loss of life or property” due to the wildfires. Cass County has the largest single wildfire in Northeast Texas, and it has now spread to Marion County. According to KETK, investigators are looking into the possibility arsonists may be responsible for those flames.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials in Smith County continue to monitor wildfire activity, with a dense smoke advisory now expired for the county — but extended until 4 p.m. for Camp, Cass, Upshur, Marion, Gregg, and Harrison Counties. Smith County officials note, “Please DO NOT call 9-1-1 to report smoke in the air; emergency services are aware of the condition. It is imperative that 9-1-1 lines stay clear to report active emergencies.” The fire in the Jackson Heights area will continue to burn for several days, but officials say no structures are currently in danger. The American Red Cross has opened a shelter site for people who have been displaced from their homes in Smith County due to the fires. The shelter site is located at the First Christian Church at South Broadway and Loop 323 in Tyler. Citizens are urged to remain cautious during these dry conditions.

For a map of fires: http://ticc.tamu.edu/Response/FireActivity/default.aspx

HENDERSON — Some residents in Rusk County are now allowed to return home after wildfire prompted their evacuation. People forced from their homes along County Roads 4110D, 4113, and 487 can go home. KETK reports the fire in that area is now 100% contained. Residents on 316D are not allowed back home. CR 314 is open for traffic but CR 4114 is still closed. One firefighter was slightly injured fighting that blaze.

MARSHALL — For the third day in a row, three East Texas school districts cancelled their classes due to wildfires. The Avinger, Jefferson, and Linden-Kildare all announced cancellations for Thursday. Football games scheduled for Thursday night were also cancelled. Today the Marion and Jefferson school districts have cancelled classes. Fires continued to rage across Marion and Cass Counties, with over 30,000 acres burned so far.

EAST TEXAS — As fires blaze across East Texas, many families have been forced from their homes. But people with no other place to go are finding refuge at local locations. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of shelters and other assistance centers.

SHELTERS:

An evacuation shelter has been set up at Maude Cobb Convention Center in Longview. The City of Longview is also in a position to assist those with the sheltering of animals if the need arises. Anyone needing shelter as a result of the recent wildfires can go to Maude Cobb.

Smith County: First Christian Church at Broadway & Loop 323

Anderson County: Dogwood Hill Baptist Church for shelter.

New London: New London Community Center is open for evacuees from the fires in New London and Carlisle.

Palestine: Dogwood Hill Baptist Church on Hwy 79 E. FM 294 to 322

Gladewater: Antique Capital RV Park on 500 Loop 485, First Baptist Church on 300 West Upshur, Calvary Baptist Shurch on 3601 West Upshur

Diana: New Diana High School Gym on 11826 Texas 154, The Rock House

DONATIONS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Gregg County:

Gladewater Fire Department is asking for water donations. Donations can be dropped off at 511 South Tyler Street in Gladewater.

Kilgore Fire Department is asking for fuel or monetary donations for fuel. Donations can be made at 1100 Powder Horn in Kilgore.

Sabine Volunteer Fire Department is asking for gloves, face masks and bandanas. Donations of these items can de dropped off at their station on 1252, in Liberty City (across the street from the Baptist Church). They are also asking for monetary donations which can be dropped off at the First National Hughes Bank in Liberty City.

Smith County:

The First Assembly of God has started a donation site at the Brookshire’s in Whitehouse. They are collecting water and snacks for the fire departments in surrounding areas.

Whitehouse Fire Department is asking that any donations the public can make be dropped off at their main location at 305 E. Main in Whitehouse.

Winona Volunteer Fire Department is asking for anything the public can spare, especially bottled water and snacks. Donations can be dropped off at the station which is located at 1111 Dallas Street in Winona.

Smith County officials are asking only for monetary donations at this time for the following departments:

Arp Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at 107 West Longview Street in Arp.

Bullard Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at 2281 Old FM Road 344 in Bullard.

Chapel Hill Volunteer Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at 13801 County Road 220 in Chapel Hill.

Dixie Volunteer Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at 584 County Road 1143 west of Tyler.

Flint- Gresham Fire Department — Donations can be made at the station which is located at 18823 FM 2493 in Flint.

Jackson Heights Fire Department — Donations can be made at 2874 County Road 24 in Tyler.

Lindale Volunteer Fire Department — Donations can be made at 208 East Hubbard Street in Lindale.

Noonday Volunteer Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at the station which is located at 16619 HWY 155 S in Noonday.

Red Springs Volunteer Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at the station which is located at 16696 FM 14 north of Tyler.

Troup Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at 101 West Bradford Street in Troup.

Cherokee County:

The Jacksonville Fire Department is asking that the public drop off any donations that have at 301 S Main Street in Jacksonville.

Upshur County

The Gilmer Fire Department is asking for monetary donations to be made at your neighboring volunteer fire departments.

Rusk County

The New London Volunteer Fire Department is asking for monetary donations. Donations can be dropped off at City Hall, which is located at 180 East Philips (behind the high school) in New London.

The Overton Volunteer Department is asking the public for water and Gatorade donations. Donations can be dropped off at City Hall which is located at 1200 South Commerce in Overton.

Henderson County

Chandler and Westside Volunteer Fire Departments are giving mutual aid into Smith County and are also in need of donations, water & Gatorade. Donations can be dropped of at both stations.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Officials say Angelina River Bottom fire evacuees may return home, but Highway 21 is still closed to through traffic. Between 50 and 100 homes were evacuated on the Cherokee County side of the Angelina River on Tuesday. Nacogdoches County officials say that fire scorched about 3,500 acres in Nacogdoches and 1,000 acres in Cherokee County. It’s now said to be around 35 per cent contained. According to KETK, the fire managed to jump Highway 21 sometime during the night. Highway 21, west of Douglass, may remain closed today due to the fire burning on the Cherokee County side. County Road 3 has also been closed due to smoke and the number of emergency vehicles traveling that roadway.

SMITH COUNTY — Republican Chris Green formally announces his candidacy for Smith County Sheriff. Green recently retired as Game Warden and has served as a state peace officer for 20 years. He said he wants to continue what JB Smith has accomplished but also implement a fresh perspective, drawing on the relationships that he has cultivated in all aspects of the community.

Green announced that he is “running on a platform of establishing and maintaining an administration that is ethical, transparent and one with integrity.” He said he wants to run a department that is fiscally responsible with the budget and with officers who lead by example as professional, compassionate servants of the taxpayers.

LONGVIEW — Fireighters in Gregg County said all fires have now been contained and evacuation orders have been lifted. This includes the fires in the Gladewater area: Cole Bottom and the Moore Fire. City and County Officials are continuing to monitor the situation and are encouraging citizens to be aware of fire safety precautions. Below is an update of the situation in the Gregg County area.

Smoke and Air Quality:

The East Texas area continues to be blanketed by smoke from area fires. The smoke tends to settle in the morning and evening. The majority of the smoke seen over the Gregg County area is seen from fires occurring in counties to the north. With all the smoke and other particles in the air, people with a history of respiratory symptoms are cautioned to stay indoors. In addition, officials encourage residents to refrain from calling 9-1-1 about general smoke in the air unless the resident sees a column of smoke or sees the fire that is the source of the smoke.

Donations and volunteers:

Generous citizens have provided many donations including more than 1,000 cases of water, hundreds of bottles of sports drinks, and many non-perishable food items. The donations have been distributed to area emergency responders. No items are being requested at this time; however, to inquire about making donations to support public safety personnel, you’re asked to call 903-237-1379. To inquire about donations for fire victims, call the local Red Cross at 903-753-2091. No volunteers are needed at this time except for qualified firefighters.

Reminder of Fire Safety Tips:

With all the smoke and other particles in the air, people with a history of respiratory symptoms are cautioned to stay indoors.

If there are extreme smoke conditions, please do not proceed down the streets.

Have an exit strategy from your home, business, and neighborhood to multiple points of exit.

Do not wait for someone to tell you to evacuate. Be watchful and evacuate if the fire danger is nearby.

For your own safety, if you don’t live near the fires, please stay away from the area around the fires.

Avoid activities that can create a spark. Examples include burning of any kind, outdoor cooking or grilling, improper disposal of cigarettes, industrial activities such as welding or other construction, or use of any older equipment without spark arrestors.

Visit http://www.FireWise.org for additional fire safety tips.

TYLER — Smith County evacuations have now been lifted after crews were able to contain that fire, according to KETK. Residents are allowed to return home. The Smith County Fire Marshal late Wednesday afternoon reported an active fire that crews were fighting at County Road 26. The fire was approximately 5 blocks away from the Jackson Heights fire Monday night. So far, 430 acres have burned in the CR 26 blaze, with 75% containment. Authorities now say arson is suspected, but the cause is not yet confirmed. They say a person of interest has been questioned, but no arrests have been made.

WHITEHOUSE — East Texas citizens rally to the cause as donations are sought for wildfire relief. Members of the Mt. Carmel Baptist in Whitehouse spent their afternoon Wednesday collecting donations for area firefighters at Brookshire’s. Volunteer Jacob Johnson said he and his colleagues planned to continue the effort Thursday. Johnson tells KETK the group is doing whatever it can to help.

TYLER – In an appearance in federal court in Tyler, A 60-year-old Vermont man has pleaded guilty for failing to register as a sex offender. Raymond Leo Lemaire, Jr., pleaded guilty yesterday to failure to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act when he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

Federal prosecutors say in June 2010, Lemaire moved to Whitehouse, Texas, after having been previously convicted in 2004 in Vermont of the felony offense of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor. Lemaire failed to register as a sex offender, as required, upon his move to Texas.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 13, 2011.

LONGVIEW — Fire danger continues to exist for the Longview and Gregg County area. City and County Officials are continuing to monitor the situation and are encouraging citizens to be aware of fire safety precautions. Officials opened the Emergency Operations Center on Monday, September 5 at approximately 2:00 p.m. Maude Cobb Convention Center, 100 Grand Blvd., was opened Monday to allow for sheltering of evacuees. Sheltering is also available for livestock and pets. Anyone needing shelter as a result of the recent wild fires can go to this location.

All fires in Longview and Gregg County are partially contained. Officials say they are thankful for the work of emergency responders. The winds are not as severe as Monday; however, there is still fire danger. According to KETK, County Judge Bill Stoudt has asked residents to cease all outdoor cooking of any kind. Longview Fire has responded to 82 fires in the Gregg County area from noon on Sunday, September 4, through 8 a.m. Tuesday, September 6. Only one structure was lost during that time in the city limits. The Longview Fire Department has had approximated 30 additional firefighters working each shift, has maintained five additional apparatus, and has also maintained full staffing at all Longview Fire Stations.

Currently, one of the primary concerns is air quality due to the smoke and other particles in the air. Individuals, especially those with respiratory issues, are encouraged to stay indoors. According to Longview Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Curtis Shaw, “We are hopeful the wind conditions will stay low today as predicted. The lower wind conditions are favorable to the on-going firefighting operations.”

The Longview Fire Department has received numerous donations of water and food supplies. These items are being distributed to Longview Firefighters as well as other area agencies. However, the Longview Fire Department does not need additional donations at this time. To inquire about making donations, please call 903-237-1379. According to Mayor Jay Dean, “Only qualified firefighters are needed to assist. We appreciate the desire of individuals to come volunteer, however it is not needed at this time.”

Fire Safety Tips:
With all the smoke and other particles in the air, people with a history of respiratory symptoms are cautioned to stay indoors.

If there are extreme smoke conditions, please do not proceed down the streets.

Have an exit strategy from your home, business, and neighborhood to multiple points of exit.

Do not wait for someone to tell you to evacuate. Be watchful and evacuate if the fire danger is nearby.

For your own safety, if you don’t live near the fires, please stay away from the area around the fires.

Avoid activities that can create a spark. Examples include burning of any kind, outdoor cooking or grilling, improper disposal of cigarettes, industrial activities such as welding or other construction, or use of any older equipment without spark arrestors.

Visit http://www.FireWise.org for additional fire safety tips.

The Longview Fire Department has received Mutual Assistance from:
Sabine VFD
Quitman VFD
Holly Lake VFD
Canton FD
Edgewood VFD
Hawkins VFD
Haynesville VFD
Wills Point VFD

Aid has been provided to:
Gladewater
White Oak
Harrison County
Elderville / Lakeport
Jefferson Metro

Other agencies participating:
Texas Forest Service
Gregg County Precinct 1 and 3
Gregg County Sheriff’s Office
Longview Police Department
City of Longview
Department of Public Safety / State Troopers Office
East Texas Council of Government
HAM Operators
Area businesses have donated use of bulldozers, water tankers, and other field equipment

HARRISON COUNTY — Firefighters in Harrison county have now contained the Peter Chapel fire, in which more than 2,000 acres were burned. All of the residents who were forced to evacuate have now been cleared to return home.

GLADEWATER — Firefighters continue to battle a massive fire on Cole Bottom Road south of Gladewater after it rekindled late Tuesday. According to KETK, residents were evacuated Monday night and are still not allowed to return home. The sheriff’s office and highway patrol have entrances blocked on FM 2207 and are only allowing firefighters in the area at this time. And now that fire has merged with another major fire that’s been burning since Sunday near Gladewater on the other side of Highway 135.

RUSK COUNTY — Evacuations continue in the Price/Carlisle area. Residents living on County Roads 4110D, 4113, and 487, of Price, were told late Monday afternoon to evacuate immediately. Authorities also closed County Roads 4110D, 4113, and 487 in Price, along with FM 850 1.5 miles West of Highway 42, in New London. Officials said the fire in question was likely caused by old trees falling on power lines. Officials late Monday began evacuating the Carlisle School District due to the danger of wildfire. There will be no school in the Carlisle schools today. Also, residents living north of the intersection of Rusk County Roads 476 and 477 up to the Macedonia Baptist Church in Carlisle have been advised to evacuate due to fire in that area. A separate fire has rekindled on Rusk County Road 272 between FM 1716 and Highway 43. According to KETK, that fire has been contained.

OVERTON — A fatal shooting is reported in Overton and now, two suspects are in custody. Overton Police have arrested Anthony Arterberry and Regina Bayless. According to KETK, both have records including theft and indecency with a child in the case of Arterberry. The identity of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Authorities say the victim was shot on the side of Denman Road at least 6 or 7 times. The shooting happened Monday, and the body was found Tuesday morning.

ANGELINA COUNTY — Two women are suing their former employer, Dollar King, after being secretly photographed in the Lufkin store’s bathroom. While criminal charges of improper photography have been brought against the former manager, Nathan Scott Kesler, 36, joint employers Emergent HR, Inc., and Dollar King, LLC, now face a civil suit alleging negligence and wrongful termination.

The civil suit stems from an incident in which Kesler is alleged by police to have put his cell phone on a bathroom cabinet of the business in a position to photograph the toilet using a spy camera application. The two store employees were photographed in the restroom when the application, which uses motion detection, took the photos.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District is issuing an advisory on health threats from wildfire smoke. Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung disease. Common symptoms of smoke exposure include:
• Coughing
• Scratchy throat
• Irritated sinuses
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Headaches
• Stinging eyes
• Runny nose
Smoke may worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as respiratory allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When smoke levels are high enough, even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms. Limit your exposure to smoke. Following are ways to protect your health:

If you experience any of these symptoms, take the following measures:

• Limit outdoor activities as much as possible.
• Keep the windows and doors of your home shut.
• Run the air conditioner with the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. If you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, seek shelter elsewhere.
• Avoid cooking as much as possible.
• Do not burn candles or use fireplaces.
• Do not use vacuum cleaners which can stir up dust already inside your home.
• Keep your airways moist by drinking plenty of water. To help relieve dryness, breathe through a warm, wet cloth.

If you have asthma or other lung disease, follow your doctor’s advice about medicine and call your doctor if your symptoms worsen. Be careful when traveling as smoke from the wildfires can pose serious visibility issues in some areas. For more information, stay tuned to local radio or television.

DIANA — A wildfire in the Diana flared up again Tuesday afternoon. That’s according to KETK. Earlier, residents were allowed to return home after evacuations were initiated over the Labor Day weekend due to the large blaze along Farm Road 726. Officials now say the fire has burned at least some 2,500 acres and was moving south toward Farm Road 1650.

FORT WORTH (AP) — American Eagle, which operates regional flights for American Airlines, including flights to Tyler, said Tuesday that traffic rose 10.2 percent in August, outstripping an increase in passenger-carrying capacity. Eagle said paying passengers flew 855.1 million miles last month, up from 776 million miles in August 2010.

The airline raised capacity by 7.5 percent, to 1.14 billion available seat miles, a measure of one seat flown one mile. Airlines add capacity by adding flights, using bigger planes or flying longer distances.

The airlines’ parent company, AMR Corp, is in the process of spinning off American Eagle to shareholders as a separate company.

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department reminds citizens to use caution when using outdoor cooking appliances. At this time, outdoor cooking with charcoal, propane or natural gas is allowed with the following restrictions:

· Outdoor cooking operations must be done in a completely covered container. The vessel should be fully enclosed to prevent any possible ignition source from escaping.
· Cooking must be done at least 10 feet from any house or structure.
· Cooking must be constantly monitored by an adult.

The Tyler Fire Department also recommends that a water source be constantly within reach and reminds citizens that any resulting damage or injuries will be the financial responsibility of the person cooking. Additionally, grills located in City parks should not be used unless they meet the above criteria. Citizens may bring personal grills to City parks, provided they comply with the above mentioned requirements.

Citizens are encouraged to remain alert and practice fire safety precautions during these unusually dry conditions. Contact the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office at (903) 535-0005 for more information regarding fire safety and prevention.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials ordered an evacuation of County Road 119 Tuesday afternoon due to a blaze in southern Smith County. KETK reports one structure has been lost to the rekindled fire. The fire is between CR 119 and County Road 113 close to Kiepersol Estates between Whitehouse and Bullard. Smith County volunteer firefighters, who have been fighting the blaze, report the fire had been contained. One estimate had nearly 200 acres burned. So far, 9 people have been evacuated. Kiepersol has not been affected, just homes nearby.

TYLER — Smith County agencies release an after-action report from their most recent multi-agency No-Refusal DWI campaign, September 2nd through September 5th, 2011:

Total DWI arrests for the No-Refusal initiative for all agencies were 17.
-The DPS had 10 DWI arrests during the No-Refusal campaign. (DPS issued one citation for DUI-Minor and have one DWI arrest pending as a result of a wreck where the DWI suspect was hospitalized.)
-The Tyler PD had 5 DWI arrests during the No-Refusal campaign.
-The Smith County Sheriff’s Office had 1 DWI arrest during the No-Refusal campaign.
-The Whitehouse PD had 1 DWI arrest during the No-Refusal campaign.

Total number of search warrants for blood obtained was 4.
-The DPS obtained 1 search warrant for blood.
-The Tyler PD obtained 3 search warrants for blood.

ANGELINA COUNTY — The capital murder trial of a Lufkin nurse accused of killing five dialysis patients by injecting them with bleach begins today. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty for Kimberly Clark Saenz, 37, a former nurse at DaVita Dialysis, where she worked for eight months.

Federal health officials became involved in a massive health investigation in late April 2008 after a series of patient deaths and illnesses at the Lufkin dialysis center. The center closed for nearly two months as investigators spent weeks combing through patient documents and preserving dialysis equipment for forensic testing. Lufkin Police linked Saenz to some of the center’s patient complications May 30 of that year when they charged her with aggravated assault. DaVita fired her a day before police filed charges. Police say two witnesses saw Saenz fill a syringe with bleach and inject the substance into two patients’ dialysis lines. Both of those patients survived.

NEW YORK (AP) – Lufkin Industries Inc. said Tuesday it plans to buy substantially all of the assets owned by Quinn’s Oilfield Supply Ltd. for about $303 million in cash. Quinn’s, based in Red Deer, Canada, makes a variety of industrial pumps. It operates two factories and 51 service facilities near North America’s oil and gas fields. Lufkin, an oil service company based in Lufkin, Texas, said the acquisition will expand its services in North America at a time when the industry is aggressively tapping underground shale wells. “The acquisition of Quinn’s will instantly give Lufkin a significantly larger footprint in Canada from which to market and service our other products,” John F. “Jay” Glick, Lufkin president and CEO, said. The deal is expected to close before the end of 2011.

SMITH COUNTY — High winds spreading flames fast destroy several homes and force a set of evacuations Monday afternoon in eastern Smith County. Fire crews went door to door on Farm Road 2767 and County Road 239 to evacuate families from their houses. The Jackson Heights Fire Department posted a command center to control the blaze. Smith County Fire Officials tell KETK the fire started off CR 239 in a residential area. Five homes have been destroyed and one home has been heavily damaged. Two of the homes were unoccupied at the time of the fire and the residents were able to escape the other two. Homes in a two mile area have been evacuated.

State Highway 31 and county roads in the area are now reopened. The fire will continue to burn or several days, but officials say no structures are currently in danger. According to a county press statement, volunteer fire departments from around the county will continue to monitor hot spots in the area until the fire is fully contained. Officials believe the fire might have started after charcoal from a grill fell on the ground, but they add they are not positive at this moment. An 18-wheeler holding animal feed was also destroyed in the fire. Water tanker trucks have been assisting due to low pressure and the difficulty of getting water to the area.

NACOGDOCHES – A fire in western Nacogdoches County has forced the evacuation of the Upshaw community. The fire started in Cherokee County, but jumped a river and headed into Nacogdoches County. Several fire departments along with the Texas Forest Service are fighting the flames. By late Monday afternoon the fire had grown to 300 acres and, because of the gusty winds, was still growing.

GREGG COUNTY – Fires in Gregg County have burned thousands of acres and are responsible for a couple of deaths. Community members are reacting after two bodies were found in a burned out mobile home on Gladewater’s Lincoln Springs Road. Killed was Valerie McBride, 20 and her 18-month old daughter K’loe Cheek. An autopsy has been ordered. Neighbor Debbie Johnston told KETK, “My heart does go out to them, because it’s one thing to lose stuff, but when you lose people, that’s terrible — that’s absolutely terrible. But this community is so strong. They’re tough…you can tell they’re all pulled together.” Gladewater Police also confirm evacuations in the following areas: Rosy Wady Road, Lincoln Springs Road, Old Hwy (Old Gladewater Road), Tennerville Road. The fire that has destroyed at least 7 homes, at last report, was 60% contained.

The Gregg County Sheriff’s Department has reported evacuations for the Liberty City area. A wildfire was affecting an area just south of Interstate-20, near the intersection of Goforth Road and Mt. Pisgah Road. According to KETK, officials were calling the blaze a “major fire,” and several homes were being threatened.

PALESTINE — Anderson County is among the areas of East Texas being hit hard by wildfire. Evacuations are underway in part of the county, and late Monday, a new fire sparked in the Mound Prairie Lake area. Meanwhile, according to KETK, firefighters are still battling the so-called New Chapel fire that broke out in Anderson County around midday Sunday. As of late Monday, the fire was said to cover about 1,000 acres and had destroyed about five homes. Officials said the blaze was about 40% contained. They said it was likely caused by branches touching power lines. Throughout Anderson County, wildfires have charred over 5,000 acres and destroyed five buildings.