TYLER COUNTY, Texas — A Tyler County wildfire that may have been ignited by lighting this week is now 80% contained according to the Texas Forest Service.
Tyler County Sheriff Bryan Weatherford tells 12News the fire, now identified as the Neches River Fire, was reported around 2 p.m. Tuesday about a mile away from the Jasper County line. It began in the area of CR 3910 and CR 3900 off of RR 255 in Tyler County.
Tyler County Emergency Manager Ken Jobe tells 12News a lightning strike from Sunday night's storms have caused the fire.
A mandatory evacuation was called for the Fox Landing and Fox Bend area from County Road 3900 north and east to the river due to the fire, according to the Tyler County Emergency Management Office.
Evacuations are now voluntary.
Jobe says roughly 20 to 30 homes were evacuated. No structures were lost and no injuries were reported.
The fire is estimated to have burned 190 acres and is 80% contained.
What we know now…
- Fire is about 190 acres and 80% contained.
- In area of CR3910 & CR3900 off RR255 in Tyler County
- Evacuations in Fox Landing, Fox Bend from CR3900 north, east to Neches River
- Colmesneil High School gym opened as evacuation center
- RR255 reopened
- The Tyler County fairgrounds are available for the holding of livestock
Weatherford says the Texas A&M Forest Service is on scene with three planes and at least two helicopters.
Mutual aid is being provided from most area fire departments including Woodville, Colmesneil, Beech Grove and Dam B fire departments.
Firefighters from the Florida Forest Service, Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the US Forest Service also teamed up to help fight the fire.
Dozers were used to stop the fire from spreading as well as planes that doused water from Sam Rayburn Lake onto the fire.
RR 255 has been reopened after being shut down for several hours.
RB Moffett Gym at Colmesneil High School is being used as an evacuation area. The Tyler County fairgrounds are available for the holding of livestock.
Jobe says he's happy to have crews quickly spring into action.
"Kasper did have a lot of assets from their fire last week so having them here sure made it handy. Still a bad thing, but it sure made it nice to have those resources already available," he said.
Officials say once the sun goes down the fire risk decreases. They hope the fire will be 100% contained by the end of the night.
Residents living nearby may see heavy smoke overnight and well into the morning.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.