Archived as originally published. Information reflects the date of this article.
Firefighters had their hands full dealing with an out of control wildfire early Monday afternoon in northwest Jasper County. It began at about 2:00 as a small fire at the intersection of County Roads 99 and 102 in the Peachtree Community. The Beech Grove Fire Department was first on scene, and as wind from an approaching thunderstorm began pushing the blaze and causing it to grow bigger they called for assistance from the Angelina River Fire Department and the Texas A&M Forest Service. Beech Grove Fire Chief Jamie Gunter said that when the rain arrived it helped to knock the fire down. Firefighters declared the blaze under control at about 4:00.