LONGVIEW (KYTX) - A wildfire warning from emergency crews around East Texas. Nicer weather has people out burning, but our cooler temps come with strong winds.
A Gregg County fire was difficult to control Monday because of high winds and low humidity. Firefighters say thick smoke began surging through the woods near Tyron Road in Longview around 1:00 Monday afternoon.
"It was a very large heavy column of smoke," said Captain Tom Keith with Judson Metro Volunteer Fire Department. He was first on scene and the smoke was billowing so high, he called for back up.
"I called Texas Forest Service to get a spotter plane because I couldn't see how far back it was cause we had to protect this house," Keith said pointing to a wooden home, yards away from the smoked woods.
The homeowner wasn't there at the time. When he got the fire was contained and he thanked firefighters for saving his home.
The blaze all started with an old controlled burn nearby that re-kindled.
"They burned about three days ago and it got out," Keith said. "A spark torched an evergreen tree and then took off."
By state law, you cannot burn if winds are over 22 miles per hour.
Local firefighters say if you are burning or grilling, stay with the fire at all times with water nearby. Otherwise, you could put yourself, your property, and your entire community in danger.
If you aren't sure about burning in certain weather conditions, you can always call the fire marshal or local fire department.
Longview, West Harrison, and New Mountain fire departments also responded to that Longview fire Monday.
