Longview, TX — Wildfires continued to keep East Texas firefighters on call and on duty Wednesday.
Among the fires battled was a 25- to 30-acre fire on the border of Gregg and Upshur counties at Burnam Road, near Fuller Road and FM 1844, said county Fire Marshal David Kidder.
The fire forced evacuations of several residents and closed Burnam Road and FM 1844 for a while Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s been contained, and I don’t believe any structures were destroyed,” Kidder said late Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters also worked on extinguishing a grass fire in the East Mountain area that was difficult to reach. According to reports, fire crews had difficulty accessing the blaze through private property at the intersection of Texas 300 and FM 1844 but were finally able to reach and contain it.
Local firefighters can expect continued support from across the nation, officials said.
Longview Mayor Jay Dean and Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt said Wednesday that the U.S. Forest Service will continue to help manage wildfires in East Texas for the next several weeks.
The two officials spoke at a press conference at the county’s Emergency Operations Center.
“They’re here to help us get our arms around these fires,” Dean said. “Our local fire departments are used to sprints — this is more like a marathon.”
The situation in Gregg and surrounding categories remains dire, Dean said.