Several departments battle wildfire

Several area fire departments spent nearly four hours battling a huge wildfire in the Harrisburg Community on Farm to Market Road 1738, off of Highway 63 East and just east of Jasper. The blaze broke out at about 1:00 on Thursday afternoon and was finally brought under control shortly before 5:00.

No houses were threatened; however, the flames came close to a nearby natural gas pipeline station. Firefighters were able to keep the blaze from reaching the small gas unit.

Units from the East End, Jasper, Lake Rayburn, Angelina, Tri-Community and Burkeville Fire Departments were at the scene along with the Texas Forest Service who sent several firefighters, bulldozers, and an aircraft.

There is no word on what may have sparked the blaze which began in the middle of a pine sapling thicket. With temperatures near 100 for the past few weeks and no rain in over a month, the flames spread quickly, consuming the dry vegetation.

Story by Steve W Stewart KJAS.com