Northeast Texas Fire Complex Update
Posted/updated on: September 17, 2011 at 4:12 pm
NORTHEAST TEXAS — Authorities issue an update on the Northeast Fire Complex. The complex consists of the Magnolia Complex in Marion and Gregg counties, the Bear Creek Fire in Marion and Cass counties, the Dotson Fire 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. Total current acreage for the complex is 53,570 acres with 95 percent containment for the overall complex. “We are glad to bring in our resources to work these large fires so the local firefighters get a well-deserved break,” said Incident Commander Mike Morcom of the Pacific Northwest National Incident Management Team.
According to information from the Texas Forest Service, temperatures will be slightly down from previous days and the relative humidity across the complex will likely stay above 30 percent while winds are predicted to be from the south/southeast at 5-10 mph. Though the weather has moderated some, conditions on the ground remain extreme with very low fuel moistures across all of East Texas. Potential reburn from dropped leaves and singed pine needles is significant for all of the fires within the complex. “The trees are so dry that the needles and leaves are dropping at the slightest bit of wind and creating a new path for fires to cross our lines,” said Texas Forest Service Regional Forester Wes Moorehead.
The Magnolia Complex is 4,800 acres and 90 percent contained. The complex includes the Moore, Locker Plant and Old Magnolia fires. Crews were successful in working interior islands and corralling small slopovers pushed outside the lines by leaf and needle litter. Firefighters continue to seek hot spots within the interior of the fire and monitor the perimeter.
The Bear Creek Fire is 40,963 acres in size and 100 percent contained. Unburned islands in the interior have been secured and the perimeter lines are established. Firefighters will continue to monitor the fire looking for latent heat sources that may ignite newly dropped leaf and needle litter.
The Dotson Fire, which is located approximately 30 miles west of Nacogdoches and 5 miles west of Alto, is 1,784 acres in size and 100 percent contained. Like the other fires, monitoring will continue because of the possibility of reburn because of the leaf and needle drop.
The Bowles Creek Bottom Fire is 795 acres and the Johnson Creek Fire is 2,143 acres. Both are 100 percent contained but firefighters will continue to monitor them due to the reburn potential.
The Rhonesboro Fire in the Raintree Lakes area west of Gilmer is 305 acres and 100 percent contained. Engines will continue to patrol the area because of the reburn possibilities and to ensure that no hotspots were missed near structures.
The Gethsemane Fire is north of Caddo Lake near the Louisiana border. The fire is 2,695 acres and 80 percent contained. Firefighters will spend the day strengthening the perimeter lines and providing structure protection.
In addition to staffing the fires, firefighters, engines, and other equipment will be available for initial attack of new starts if needed by Texas Forest Service or local departments.
Red Cross Shelter & Disaster Assistance:
The Red Cross and local charitable organizations are working together in transitioning from Voluntary Organizations Disaster Assistance Center (VODAC) in Jefferson to the long term recovery process. “These families will need so much more after the center closes, so we wanted to leave them with a way to continue using available resources,” said Alicia Toombs, Assistance Coordinator of the VODAC.
The Red Cross has arranged for local charities to access the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) system. This will allow recovery efforts to transition from a physical assistance center to a virtual assistance center. Through CAN, caseworkers have access to secure client information providing collaboration and ease of referral between agencies. VODAC officially closed on Thursday, Sept. 15. The virtual assistance center plans to be open Monday Sept. 19.
Donations:
You’re asked to 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 recovery in Cass County, you’re asked to contact Brian Triplett at 903-748-2343. For large animal recovery in Marion County, contact Jamie Suggs at 903-722-1214. For small animal recovery, contact Caroline Weddings with the Humane Society of Marion County, at 903-790-9012. Anyone wanting to donate feed is being asked to contribute hay for horses and cattle. Location for animal feed is at the Linden Rodeo Arena on State Highway 8 in Linden.
