Angelina River Bottom Fire

     On Sunday September the 4th, 2011, Nacogdoches County Judge declared Nacogdoches County a disaster due to a large fire on the west side of the county. After burning for five consecutive days, the fire will go down in history as the largest wildfire in the County.

     The fire was named the “Angelina River Bottom Fire”, and it consumed over 6,500 acres of land on the west side of Nacogdoches County, burning land from FM 343 at the Angelina River, to State Hwy 21 just west of Douglass. Although no houses were destroyed, the Texas Forest Service reported an estimated 1.76 million cubic feet of timber lost with a stumpage value of $890,000. The direct cost of the fire to the County of Nacogdoches is a little over $115,000.

     An old wise man once said “VOLUNTEERS DO IT FOR FREE”. The County would like to extend appreciation to all the volunteers that help in this disaster. Many thanks go out to the local volunteer fire departments, the Texas Forest Service, the City Fire Department and the ham radio operators for their tireless efforts both day and night fighting the fire. Thanks go out to many local merchants including Wal-Mart, Brookshire Brothers, Lowes, Subway, Chick-Fil-A and Taco Bell, for providing food and items to the fire fighters. Thanks to the civic organizations such as The Pilot Club and Mike Moses Middle School. Special recognition goes to Charlie Spears, Eric Peer, Perry Skipper, Charles McCray, Campbell Cox Jr., John Teuche, Miss Ireland, the members of Faith Bridge Church in Douglass and County Line Baptist. We would also like to extend a special thanks to Select Energy for providing four bull dozers, the City of Nacogdoches for providing a dozer and personnel. Two of the local salt water company’s HWS and Nabours provided water transport to the fire, and to Southern Power (the biomass plant) for cutting its water line and providing a tap for the fire trucks to receive water. Lastly we would like to thank the county’s employees at the Sheriff’s office and Road and Bridge for providing security and equipment, and Memorial Hospital for providing standby EMS to the disaster.

     As this disaster is coming to a close, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to avert any future wildfires while this drought has its grip on East Texas. The Burn Ban is still in effect and cooperation is paramount. The efforts of all involved show the spirit of Nacogdoches County, and the willingness to get involved when needed. This is just one more reason why life is good in the Pineywoods.