PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A stubborn marsh fire that has been burning in South Jefferson County for two weeks or more is now 60% contained.
Multiple fire departments began fighting the fire Tuesday afternoon.
The fire caused lots of problems over several days last week and weekend when the weather changed and kept the smoke hanging around low to the ground throughout the mornings.
The H & H Fire is burning deep in the marsh west of Port Arthur and south of Texas Highway 73.
The fire consists of two separate fires called the North Fire and the South Fire according to Texas A&M Forest Service Public Information Officer, Matthew Ford.
The North Fire is estimated to be around 10,000 acres and started on October 14, 2023. The South Fire is around 1,200 acres and has been burning since October 22, 2023, according to Ford.
On October 19, 2023 the "perfect storm" of weather factors came together to keep a layer of smoke and fog hugging the ground and floating across Texas Highway 73.
Drivers along Texas 73 near Port Acres found themselves driving into a cloud of smoke and fog with low to zero visibility.
Multiple fire departments are now actively working to deal with the marsh fires according to Port Arthur Fire Chief Doug Benson.
The fire is being accessed from Texas Highway 87, west of Sabine Pass.
Port Arthur Fire Department , Texas A&M Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Jefferson County Emergency Service District 3 and Hamshire Volunteer Fire Department are all fighting the marsh fires.
There are about 18 firefighters currently at the fire right now, Chief Benson told 12News.
The biggest challenge for the firefighters is the wet and muddy marsh terrain. They aren't able to us their normal equipment like bulldozers.
Instead, they are using Marsh Masters. These are pieces of equipment that are like brush trucks except they have a smaller engine. Marsh Masters have tracks and rubber wheels, which allow firefighters to travel through the marsh according to Ford.
Firefighters use special equipment to battle 10K-acre marsh fire
Planes are also being used to dump water on the fire from above.
There is one structure that is not currently threatened but they are working to protect it before it is threatened.
There is also a second fire about two miles away they are also going to deal with Chief Benson said.
Wind patterns are causing the fire to head west, so no road closures have been called at this time, Ford told 12News.