Normal Operations Returning to Maude Cobb

LONGVIEW — The Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex has returned to normal operations as the complex is no longer serving as an evacuation shelter. All public events scheduled for Maude Cobb this weekend are expected to continue as normal. Should the need for a shelter arise again, officials will coordinate with American Red Cross and other community resources. There are no remaining evacuations for residents of Gregg County.

Pacific Northwest Team 2 Incident Commander Mike Morcom has been requested to work for the Texas Forest Service to help support local fire suppression efforts in what has become the most significant fire season in the history of the Great State of Texas.

PNW Team 2 is based out of the well-equipped Longview-Gregg County Emergency Operations Center. The team is in process of transitioning with the City of Longview, Gregg County, Cass, and Marion Counties to assume command of a number of fires in the northeast portion of the state. This includes the Bear Creek Fire, the Old Magnolia Complex, and potentially, some additional large fires in the geographic area. PNW Team 2 will also be working closely with the Linden and Henderson offices of the Texas Forest Service.

Team members are busy gathering intelligence on the existing fires from the fire resources who are currently assigned; the team plans to continue utilizing as many of those resources as possible in the coming days. PNW Team 2 will be assuming command of the Northeast Texas Fire Complex, in full cooperation with the Texas Forest Service, at 8:00 Saturday morning.