By PAUL STONE
Palestine Herald-Press
PALESTINE —
Firefighters from the Texas Forest Service and other agencies continued Tuesday to keep an eye on a wildfire in northeastern Anderson County which officials now say consumed approximately 400 acres.
The fire, which was reported roughly around noon Monday, apparently was started by a power line which possibly sparked and ignited the blaze.
The fire was centered near the intersection of FM 19 and CR 335 between Neches and Frankston near the Neches River at the Anderson/Cherokee counties line.
A member of the Neches Volunteer Fire Department was reportedly taken to Palestine Regional Medical Center Monday to be treated for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.
No serious injuries, however, were reported.
Although an abandoned structure was claimed, officials said no residences were lost due to the fire.
As of late Tuesday afternoon, Alan Pruitt of the Texas Forest Service said representatives of his agency remained on the scene to monitor the area.
“We’ve got a supervisor and at least a dozen people out there right now,” Pruitt said.
Firefighters from the Texas Forest Service and others from agencies in multiple counties, including Anderson County, fought the blaze Monday, while private citizens also chipped in with muscle and manpower.
After initial reports estimated the affected area at 150 acres, the number had swelled to 400 by Tuesday morning.
Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
