Fire Officials Watch for “Hot Spots”

EAST TEXAS — Smoke could continue to rise for days or even weeks from a Friday fire in Overton. More than 40 area firefighters, 14 vehicles and a helicopter were used to battle the grass fire near FM 1639, according to Michael Stanley, spokesman for the Kilgore Fire Department, which was in command operations. Stanley said initial estimates of a fire that covered as much as 300 acres were reduced to about 100 acres after talking with firefighters on the scene. “With that large of a geographical area, it’s difficult to say,” he said.

The blaze reportedly started when a hay baler being used by a crew on his land on CR 1115 caught fire. Volunteer fire departments from Overton, Crims Chapel, Sabine and New London also responded to the fire. The Texas Forestry Service brought two plows and a helicopter to assist. Stanley said Kilgore firefighters cleared the scene about 10:30 p.m. Friday, but the Texas Forestry Service was watching hot spots Saturday. The fire is secure, but Stanley said officials will be watching the area an smoke could continue to rise from the area for days or even weeks.

Kilgore firefighters also responded Friday to a grass fire on FM 2276 east of Kilgore. Stanley said Elderville/Lakeport volunteer firefighters and the Texas Forestry Service assisted in battling the blaze the covered about 40 acres. No structures were damaged in either fire.