Wildfire causes devastation in region

A blanket of smoke covered the northeast end of Tyler County, near the Neches River from the rapidly spreading Shearwood Creek Wildfire, which began on Thursday afternoon and affected more than 3,500 acres. PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. FOREST SERVICE

By Chris Edwards
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JASPER/TYLER COUNTY – A wildfire that raged through the northeastern part of Tyler County, and started in Jasper County, last week, affected about 3,500 acres, according to emergency management officials. The fire was first reported Thursday afternoon.

As of Monday afternoon, Jasper County Judge Mark Allen said that the wildfire, which began in the Ebenezer Community, and is officially named the Shearwood Creek Wildfire, was 95% contained.

Allen said that firefighters were still working on site on hot spots, which flare up, and that officials with the U.S. Forestry Service will remain in the area for a few more days.

Tyler County Judge Milton Powers issued a disaster declaration on Thursday, and a mandatory fire evacuation, effective as of Monday, for residents living east of County Road 3400 to the Neches River and from RR 255 north to the Neches, up to the county line.

The fire was reported initially around noon by a Jasper resident, Heath Cofty, who called 911 and attempted to put it out himself before it grew out of control.

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Cofty alerted others in the area, including the Harmon family, who live about a mile from where the fire broke out. They evacuated, but their home was spared.

“I am so thankful for all the prayers from family, friends, and the community who came together and worked to protect each other from this tragic fire. While the events of the past few days have been scary, I will never forget how our community worked to support each other and lift each other up during this time of need,” said Emily Harmon.

All the regional volunteer fire departments, as well as state and federal agencies engaged with the fire throughout Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with aerial and ground support making “substantial progress” by Saturday, according to an update from the Texas A&M Forest Service.

By Sunday, 3,000 acres had burned, and it was 70% contained. Rainfall in the region helped with further containment. The Shearwood Creek Fire was the largest of four wildfires that occurred over the weekend across the state. With dry weather conditions continuing, statewide, the A&M Forest Service reported that it is continuing to respond to requests for assistance. At press time, 208 counties had burn bans in place, including Tyler and Jasper counties.

In the wake of the Shearwood Creek Fire, American Red Cross volunteers opened a shelter in Tyler County, at Colmesneil High School, and two shelters in Jasper County: Ebenezer Baptist Church and Jasper Harvest Church.

The Red Cross reported on Friday that several people showed up to the shelter at Ebenezer Baptiswt Church, with seven staying overnight. Seven people also showed up to stay at the Colmesneil shelter.

“Our shelters will remain open as long as the community needs us,” a Red Cross representative said.