Trinity County sheriff: 'Ghost Branch Fire' grew to 250+ acres, is 90 percent contained

TRINITY COUNTY, Texas (KTRE) - An alert from Trinity County Sheriff said a large wildfire may require some evacuations. Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said in an update around 2:30 p.m. Monday that a fire on North Ghost Branch Road in the Glendale community may require residents to evacuate. According to the alert, area residents need to be aware of their immediate area and respond appropriately. By 10 p.m., the Texas A&M Forest Service said the fire was at 90 percent containment. In his final update for Monday night, Wallace suggested residents in that area not return home for the night just in case there are flare ups of the fire. Firefighters are still at the scene fighting the fire and monitoring other areas where it has been put out for those flare ups. Firefighting aircraft will stay on the ground for the night, but bulldozers are still working the area. A mandatory evacuation was not issued. Just after 7 p.m., the Texas A&M Forest Service had stated that the fire has grown to 250 acres and was still only 30% contained. Wallace said many aircraft were in the air, and dozers on the ground, working to fight the out-of-control fire. He also said other agencies from around the area have come to the scene to assist. At 5:50 p.m., the fire dubbed “Ghost Branch Fire” due to its location had grown to 100 acres and is 30 percent contained. Texas A&M Forest Service has multiple aircraft and dozers enroute to assist with battling the fire. At 4:45 p.m. the Texas Forest Service had said the fire was 60 percent contained and had burned a confirmed 30 acres. A later alert from Wallace said the VFW in Trinity County and Groveton Baptist Church are open as emergency shelters. It also said the fire is growing, and drivers should be aware and yield to emergency vehicles traveling down Glendale roads. There may also be road closings to allow emergency personnel access. The alert went on to say that Groveton ISD is unsure of whether buses will be able to complete drop-offs. The school said that parents who would like their school to hold students in cafeterias should call their campus offices by 3:45 p.m. at 936-642-1473. Wallace gave a live update around 3:30 p.m., saying there are 30 to 40 homes within a mile radius of the fire, all in thick wooded areas. Wallace said the area where the fire started was recently clear-cut and covered in standing timber, with flames spreading into the woods. The fire was growing slowly, Wallace said, but spreading in all directions. According to Wallace, many homes could be lost if the fire is not controlled quickly. “I don’t think there’s anything you’re going to do to protect your property,” he said. Wallace recommended evacuees take only items like medicine and other readily available necessities. Authorities are not mandating evacuation as of now, but Wallace said that could change. The alert said that information on the situation will continue to be updated, and updates from Groveton ISD can be found on their Facebook page.