FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE:
DATE: September 7, 2011
Contact: 903-239-5575
DATE: September 7, 2011
Contact: 903-239-5575
Update
Regarding Gregg County Fires
(Longview, TX) Fire danger
continues to exist for the Longview and Gregg County area. City and County
Officials are continuing to monitor the situation and are encouraging citizens
to be aware of fire safety precautions. Below is an update of the situation in
the Gregg County area.
Fires:
Longview and Gregg County
emergency responders have been working two fires in the western portion of Gregg
County.
The Merrill’s Lake Fire,
located south of the city of White Oak near Merrill’s Lake Road, is considered
to be 100% contained. The fire is estimated to have covered approximately 1,200
– 1,500 acres. Plow lines have been constructed. Fire personnel continue to
monitor the situation. There are no active evacuations for the Merrill’s Lake
Fire.
The Moore Fire is considered
partially contained with approximately 1,700 acres burned. The Moore Fire is
located south of the city of Gladewater near Lincoln Spring Road, Old Gladewater
Road, Swamp City Road, and Coal Bottom. During the last operational period,
there were no structure losses or fatalities; however, there was the loss of an
automobile belonging to a resident. Evacuations are still active for the Swamp
City Road area and the Coal Bottom area. Before the evacuation can be lifted,
officials will be evaluating impact on infrastructure such as electricity and
oil and gas lines in the area. Evacuations were also initiated today for
Meridian Street, Omaha Street, and Spokane Street, all located south of
Gladewater.
Smoke and Air
Quality:
The East Texas area
continues to be blanketed by smoke from area fires. The smoke tends to settle in
the morning and evening. The majority of the smoke seen over the Gregg County
area is seen from fires occurring in counties to the north.
With all the smoke and other
particles in the air, people with a history of respiratory symptoms are
cautioned to stay indoors.
In addition,
officials encourage residents to refrain from calling 9-1-1 about general smoke
in the air unless the resident sees a column of smoke or sees the fire that is
the source of the smoke.
Donations and volunteers:
Generous citizens have
provided many donations including more than 1,000 cases of water, hundreds of
bottles of sports drinks, and many non-perishable food items. The donations have
been distributed to area emergency responders.
No items are being requested
at this time; however, to inquire about making donations to support public
safety personnel, please call 903-237-1379. To inquire about donations for fire
victims, please call the local Red Cross at 903-753-2091.
No volunteers are needed at
this time except for qualified firefighters.
Reminder of Fire Safety Tips:
With all the smoke and other
particles in the air, people with a history of respiratory symptoms are
cautioned to stay indoors.
If there are extreme smoke
conditions, please do not proceed down the streets.
Have an exit strategy from
your home, business, and neighborhood to multiple points of exit.
Do not wait for someone to
tell you to evacuate. Be watchful and evacuate if the fire danger is
nearby.
For your own safety, if you
don’t live near the fires, please stay away from the area around the
fires.
Avoid activities that can
create a spark. Examples include burning of any kind, outdoor cooking or
grilling, improper disposal of cigarettes, industrial activities such as welding
or other construction, or use of any older equipment without spark
arrestors.
For additional fire safety
tips, please visit www.FireWise.org.
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