KAUFMAN COUNTY (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Kaufman County leaders declared a disaster declaration as the King’s Creek Fire continues to burn.
The declaration, issued Monday night, allows the county judge to access more resources and implement tougher fines for people who continue to break an ongoing burn ban.
“Such as putting heavier fines for people who continue to use fireworks long after the holiday is over worth. Several fires have been started from people shooting fireworks from their vehicles,” said Kaufman County Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Howie.
The blaze started as a grass fire on Sunday along County Road 4061 and quickly burned almost 500 acres.
Smoke from the fire is wreaking havoc in the community.
“4061 is on the south end of the county and smoke has reached all the way up towards Terrell on the far north end of the county. So, it’s creating breathing difficulty for a lot of people,” said Howie.
Dozens of volunteer firefighters from nine departments fought the fire along with assistance from air resources.
As of Tuesday morning, the King’s Creek Fire is about 85% contain and crews hope to have it put out by the end of the day.
Meanwhile, a wildfires is burning on the north side of Possum Kingdom Lake in Palo Pinto County. The blaze has burned hundreds of acres, destroyed at least 8 houses and displaced dozens of residents.
The Chalk Mountain Fire is burning in Somerville County just south of Granbury and the smoke can be seen for miles. This Hudson Oaks resident said he can see the ashes from the fire from his house.
“It’s not flakes like snow. It’s very small but it’s whitish gray. You don’t see it driving but it’s landing on things and you can see it accumulate.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire has burned about 1200 acres and is about 5% contained.
Copyright 2021. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved.
