Multiple Fires Across the County on Tuesday
Multiple wildfires ripped through Henderson County Tuesday afternoon and evening burning hundreds of acres, but no structures were lost thanks to the work of our firefighters.
"I just want to thank everyone involved in battling these fires," said Henderson County Fire Marshal Shane Renberg. "We had firefighters from every corner of the county and even some from outside the county responding."
These efforts saved at least 20 homes from the day's first -- and largest -- fire, which started in the early afternoon off FM 59 South in the Cross Roads area. The drought conditions and shifting winds made this fire difficult to control.
With the fire moving quickly, officials evacuated residences along County Road 1200, Private Road 5207, Private Road 5203, and one home on FM 59. Evacuation areas were set up at the Henderson County Senior Center and the Cross Roads ISD gym.
The fire grew large enough for officials to call in a Texas Fire Service plane to airdrop fire retardant. First, firefighters on the ground had to buy time by using a technique called a "back burn" -- setting a controlled fire to eliminate the fuel in the path of a wildfire -- to slow the fire down until the plane arrived.
The Cross Roads fire burned 166 acres before being brought under control.
While that fire was happening, two smaller fires broke out in Trinidad and Brownsboro. Both of those fires were brought under control quickly, however.
A much larger fire occurred in Gun Barrel City Tuesday evening off County Road 4006, which is north and east of the Gun Barrel City Airport.
While not as big as the Cross Roads fire, the Gun Barrel City fire still burned about 80 acres, according to officials.
Three firefighters were taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation after the Gun Barrel City fire, but they were recovering later in the evening, according to the Fire Marshal.
Fire Marshal Renberg said the Cross Roads fire was likely caused by a welder and the Gun Barrel City fire started with someone baling hay.
"Both of those were accidents, but this is just a reminder of how fast a fire can grow out of control in these conditions," he said.
The large list of agencies responding to Tuesday's fires includes the Henderson County Fire Marshal's Office, the Sheriff's Office, the Texas Fire Service, EMS, the Red Cross, Henderson County Precinct 1, Henderson County Precinct 2, the Mabank Police Department, and fire departments from Southside, Malakoff, Caney City, Payne Springs, Log Cabin, Trinidad, Bethel Cayuga, Baxter, North 19, Murchison, Bradford, Athens, Brownsboro, Mabank, Payne Springs, Seven Points, and Tool.