08/24/2026
3 years ago today, on August 24th, 2023, shortly after 12 noon, a wildfire was reported in northwest Jasper County on County Road 032. This fire quickly grew in size and intensity, becoming one of the worst wildfires ever in Jasper County. The fire was within the response boundaries of the Angelina River Fire And Rescue, who upon arrival quickly called for mutual aid.
The fire was later named the Shearwood Creek Fire, burning approximately 3,700 acres, destroying multiple structures, all of which were hunting camps and weekend homes.
However, many more structures were saved than destroyed. No reported injuries either.
The Shearwood Creek fire prompted a local disaster declaration by Office of Jasper County Judge Mark Allen and temporary evacuations before achieving full containment as multi-agency crews brought it under control over a period of several days.
It was said at the time, that Sam Rayburn Reservoir had become the busiest airport in East Texas with the scooper planes making numerous trips to refill with water.
Of importance, when this fire occurred the area was experiencing 108-degree air temperatures, with low humidity, high pressure, and wind. The entire area was in a drought with KBDI dryness levels measuring in the high 700's.
Today, we are experiencing near similar conditions. Current KBDI in northern Jasper County is the low to mid 700's, we have had a consecutive string of 100 degree plus days, high pressure, and what meteorologist call a "flash drought".
The published Forecast Fire Danger for today and tomorrow have this area at Very High Risk, bordering Extreme.
Please do not burn until we receive significant rainfall.
Who remembers where they were when the Shearwood Creek fire occurred?
