The Lufkin Daily News
By STACY FAISON/The Lufkin Daily News
August 25, 2023

Firefighters continue to battle the Shearwood Creek Fire in Jasper County, which had expanded to 3,500 acres and was 70% contained as of the Texas A&M Forest Service’s most recent update around 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Portions of state Highway 63 were closed earlier Friday but have since reopened. Recreational Road 225 west remains closed from state Highway 63 to the Neches River in both directions and is expected to remain closed until 9 a.m. Monday, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan spent Friday afternoon meeting with local officials and responders regarding the ongoing wildfire situation.

"As of right now, the fire continues to grow, but so long as wind conditions do not escalate, we have the tools necessary to get this thing contained," he stated in a social media post. 

Gov. Greg Abbott also has deployed Texas firefighters to assist with fires in Louisiana, including a 20,000-acre fire 8 miles from the Texas-Louisiana border.

"The state of Texas is assisting the state of Louisiana to fight that fire and prevent it from entering East Texas," Phelan wrote.

Evacuations were ordered Thursday for County Roads 032, 033, 034, 037 and 039. Several structures have been destroyed, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.

Local fire departments, crews from the Texas A&M Forest Service and USDA Forest Service, and several aviation resources are engaged in suppression efforts, according to the update. Multiple dozers worked to construct containment lines and have made progress on the eastern and western sides of the fire.

“Before the wind shift, when the fire was still moving southwest, it did spot over the Neches River, and crews moved to the south side to create a containment line,” the update states. “The fire started to experience winds from the southwest around nightfall, and it did continue forward progression on the northwest side. During daylight hours on (Thursday), two Type 1 helicopters and 2 super scoopers worked to slow forward progression and provide structure protection.”

American Red Cross volunteers have opened two evacuation shelters in Jasper County and another in Tyler County.

“As the fire continues to rage out of control in our Southeast and Deep East Texas chapter area, our teams are there ready to support those in need,” said Vanessa Valdez, media contact for the nonprofit humanitarian organization. “As of last night, we had many people show up at our evacuation center in Ebenezer Baptist Church for comfort and support and had seven stay overnight. In Tyler County, we also had seven people show up last night looking for a place to stay, and we were happy to be able to provide that shelter for them at Colmesneil High School. Our shelters will remain open as long as the community needs us.”

Shelter locations are:

■ Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1277 County Road 44 in Jasper

■ Jasper Harvest Church, 1501 South Wheeler St. in Jasper

■ Colmesneil High School, 610 W. Elder St. in Colmesneil

“Anyone is welcome at Red Cross shelters, including those with service animals,” Valdez said. “Our shelters provide visitors with a place to sleep, meals, beverages, snacks, comfort and care.”

If possible, those staying in a Red Cross shelter should bring prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies other comfort items and important documents. Special items for children also are recommended, including diapers, formula and toys.

A Temporary Flight Restriction has been ordered for the area over the fire to provide a safe environment for incoming firefighting aircraft.