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Large brush fire in Newton County
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Authorities believe a man burning trash could have been responsible for a large wildfire that burned more than 150 acres between Newton and Burkeville.
About 3:00 this afternoon, a fire was reported in an area known as Stringtown. Newton County Sheriff Joe Walker tells KFDM that 8 area fire departments assisted in battling the blaze.
All of Southeast Texas, including Newton County, under a burn ban.
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(Updated 5:30p.m.) A storm cell moving west from DeRidder, could possibly shift the direction of a bursh fire which continues to burn in Newton County.
Sheriff Joe Walker told KFDM a few moments ago that a portion of the fire did jump the highway toward a house, but his fire crew was able to put out the flames.
KFDM is following this story and will update you as the evening progresses.
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(Updated 4:00p.m.) A large wildfire is still burning in between Newton and Burkeville.
Newton County Sheriff Joe walker tells KFDM that eight area fire departments are on the scene ready to protect any homes or other structures from the fire.
FM 1414 has been closed and only emergency vehicles are being allowed on that road.
Pilot Mike Lout has just flown over the area in an airplane and tells KFDM in his opinion because of the direction the fire is moving that no structures are in danger from the wildfire which covers an estimated 150 acres.
Sheriff Walker sais the fire is near Stringtown, the site of a large brush fire in 2004. This community is about ten miles north of Newton.
Authorities report that the smoke in that area is very thick and they are encouraging people not to get close to that area, because that would only hinder efforts to contain the fire.
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Original breaking news Report -
A huge wildfire is burning out of control in Newton County.
The blaze is in the area of Wild Azalea Canyon, which is located near Farm to Market Road 1414.
Jasper mayor and owner of KJAS Radio Mike Lout is flying above the fire. He will be feeding more aerial photos of the blaze as they are available.
KFDM will have more on this story as well as KJAS.com as information and images come in.
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