Smith County Fire Flares Up Again

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County fire officials tell KETK they’ve been battling a flare-up on CR 240 and CR 246 where several acres burned Thursday. The rekindle began around midday on Friday, and had reached two acres by the time fire officials got on scene. Officials were not clear at the time exactly how much it had grown. Authorities said the fire was beginning to jump the plow line around the blaze. Several departments are on scene. No word on whether there are any nearby structures in danger, but there have been no evacuation orders put in place at this time.

Earlier, officials said all Smith County fires had been contained, and there are no reports of other flare-ups. That containment includes a fire that ignited near several Smith County oil wells. Fire officials say it started around 4:00 Thursday afternoon in a wooded area near FM 850 and County Road 2301, near the New Chapel Hill community. That fire burned approximately 125 acres, but no structures were damaged. Fire crews are continuing to monitor hot spots at previous fire locations throughout the county. Officials believe some of the fires were intentionally set, and they’re still investigating.