[Students] Press Release -- Current Extreme Wildfire Threat
Joan Lawrence
Joan_Lawrence at tamu-commerce.edu
Fri Feb 1 15:44:24 CST 2008
_____
PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF COMMERCE & HUNT COUNTY
Issued by: Marty Cunningham, Commerce Public Information Officer, City of
Commerce
CURRENT EXTREME WILDFIRE THREAT
Texas has and continues to experience a protracted period of intense and
violent wildfires. Multiple and continuous cold fronts across a wide area
of the state characterized by extremely high winds and record low humidity
have created optimum conditions for numerous spontaneous and violent
wildfires. In the last 24-36 hour period over 70,000 acres have been burned
destroying in excess of 60 structures. Over 75 fires remain active at this
time. Extreme wildfire conditions are expected to remain through the end of
next week.
Hunt County Emergency Management Coordinator Richard Hill along with City of
Commerce Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Harrison and Assistant
Coordinator Tommy Eaton have been involved with the state wide conference
call held by Chief Jack Colley of the Governor's Division of Emergency
Management, stating that 152 counties in the state have been placed at a
Level 1 State of Emergency. Hunt County is included in this threat and it
is increasing daily with Tuesday of next week being the highest threat date.
Currently Hunt County has a burn ban in place which prohibits all outside
burning other than welding, cutting and cooking. However, due to the
current threat, the State of Texas and Hunt County Officials are requesting
that welding, cutting and outdoor cooking be curtailed.
Hunt County Emergency Management Coordinator Richard Hill and County Judge
John Horn are asking that all Volunteer Fire Departments and paid Fire
Departments be at the highest state of readiness. In addition, they are
asking that local leaders encourage employers who have employees who are
members of local Volunteer Fire Departments (VFD) to support the deployment
of VFD's to local fires by allowing their employees to respond with their
respective VFD. Local VFD's are our first line of defense and are essential
to the protection of life and property.
Charitable organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation
Army personnel are busy throughout the state and due to the conditions have
limited resources. State and County Officials ask that local citizens
support these organizations and their efforts as needed.
All County Wide Fire Chiefs are meeting tomorrow February 2, 2008 at 9:45
a.m. at the Commerce EOC located at the Fire/Police Department to discuss
plans.
For further information or questions please contact the Commerce
Communications Center at 903-886-1139, Marty Cunningham, Public Information
Officer at 903-886-1125 or Hunt County Emergency Management Coordinator
Richard Hill at 903-450-7001.
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