TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Wildfires have been increasing across East Texas, and the risk for even more is still there.
The whole state of Texas was under a high fire risk day Wednesday.
“The winds are really hampering our operation here,” says Eric Greaser, Smith County ESD 2 Fire Chief.
In Smith County, off of Highway 64 West, fire had burned about ten acres and was 70% contained.
“Behind me is a clear cut piece of land, a track that a contractor had cleared,” said Greaser. “They were burning off the piles this afternoon, and as you can see the wind conditions, along with the humidity, it was just not a good day to burn.”
The Forest Service helped Smith County ESD 2 respond to the scene trying to control the fire to prevent it from spreading into Tyler High School.
“We want to be very cautious that we get this fire under control,” says Greaser.
In Marion County, crews were also battling a fire spanning hundreds of acres.
“Estimated 500 acres,” says Sean Dugan, Wildland Urban Interface Coordinator. “We have 27 resources on site.”
The county judge issued a local disaster declaration because of the fire. It allows county and local governments to respond with more resources and staff.
“We got five bulldozers, five tankers, one type 1 helicopter,” said Dugan.
The wildfire was burning about seven miles Southwest of Jefferson and was 50 percent contained.
“We might be here all night,” said Dugan.
As dry conditions continue to worsen with winds picking up into the weekend, Texas A&M Forest Service says to stay cautious.
Four counties in East Texas are currently under a burn ban as the spread of wildfires increase, this includes Morris, Upshur, Newton and Marion.