The blaze was so large, and the conditions were so dry that 10 crews and the Texas Forest Service responded to keep the fire from getting too far out of hand.While out there, I tried to get witnesses and members from the House of Yahweh to talk to us, but they all declined to go on camera.
Here is what the conditions were like.
The smoke toward high above the burning ground below, and around 4:30 fire crews started to arrive at the House of Yahweh grounds to find this, homes and other buildings burning or being threatened by the nearby flames.
Members of House of Yahweh worked hard to keep the flames from spreading, but it was too much. John Calabrese, of the Texas Forest Service, adds that the conditions made it tough to control the blaze.
"Right now, the fuels, the grasses are really, really dry, the wind is kicking up, it's very critical fire danger," describes Calabrese.
He says all the fire crews can do is remain calm and keep the right focus, safety for everyone in the fire's way.
"We try to remain calm, we do our job, and we protect human life and private property. Those are our main goals."
With so many trailers and homes, in this urban environment, firefighters were having to keep an eye out for the dangers around.
"Moving in and around homes, flammable material around homes, fuel loads, piles of wood, it can be hazardous," says Calabrese.
The latest word from the Texas Forest Service is that the fire started from sparks flying from a power-line. The fire that burned nearly 200 acres, also claimed six residences and four out buildings, and right now it is considered to be 40% contained.
