Second San Augustine County wildfire fully contained

SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTY, Texas (KTRE) - A 150-acre fire started burning south of Highway 103 along FM 705 on Saturday, and the Texas Forest Service said it was 100% contained as of 5:15 p.m. Sunday. A second fire in the same region burned an additional 70 acres and was 100% contained at 3:20 p.m. Monday. The two were referred to as the west and east Hebron Cemetery Wildfires. The forest service first reported the west Hebron Cemetery Wildfire to be 40 acres at 3:40 p.m. Saturday. As of 6:30 p.m., the west and east fires had increased to 200 acres and 150 acres, respectively. Each was still 25% contained. By 7:30 p.m., the fires were 35% and 65% contained, in order. On Sunday, the forest service said at about 10:45 a.m. that the west fire was still 200 acres with 35% containment, but the east fire had grown to 200 acres and was 90% contained. The west Hebron Cemetery Wildfire was declared 100% containd at 5:15 p.m. Sunday. The east fire remained at 90% containment until 5:20 p.m. Monday, when it was reported to be fully under control. County Judge Jeff Boyd has said the fires are believed to have been caused by lightning strikes, with the potential to burn many acres because access for crews is limited. Boyd said forest service planes have been called in to help, and local VFDs are on scene and en route. At 4:10 p.m., Boyd said responders from the Texas Department of Emergency Management, Texas Forest Service and US Forest Service were on scene. He also said firemen from San Augustine, Pineland, Zavalla, Powell Town, Broaddus and more had arrived. Residents are asked to avoid the area. Evacuations have not been issued, but the judge asked anyone living nearby to be prepared to leave if it becomes necessary. County Roads 4600, 4610 and 4615 are in or close to the danger zones, Boyd said, and anyone without a place to go can call (936) 465-8680. At about 5 p.m., Boyd said due to light winds, the fires have not spread as quickly as other incidents this week. Fifteen homes were initially on alert as the fires grew, but the flames have not progressed toward those structures. Residents should still remain on alert, as wildfires can easily rekindle given dry conditions. The forest service had a good perimeter cut around both fires by about 7:45 p.m., and Boyd said they expect those lines to hold overnight. Dozers were set to return in the morning, along with “spotter planes” to monitor the status of the fires. By 10 p.m., Boyd said the fires were considered to be safely contained, although the forest service still reported containment at 35% and 90%, respectively. The Texas Forest Service said they responded to 20 new wildfires for 136 acres burned on Friday alone. They said a moderate potential for significant fires will remain across East Texas this week, but the pattern may begin to change next Sunday, as a cold front is expected to enter the state. Boyd cautioned that although cooler temperatures are forecast, humidity will be very low and stronger winds are predicted, making for dangerous fire conditions. At 10:50 a.m. Sunday, the fires were reported to be 200 acres with 35% containment and 200 acres with 90% containment. The west Hebron Cemetery Wildfire was fully contained by 5:15 p.m., with a final size assessment of 150 acres. The east fire was declared fully contained at 3:20 p.m. Monday, with a final size of 70 acres. For a current map of wildfires in Texas, click here.