Attorney General Ken Paxton visits Carbon following Eastland Complex fire destruction
Attorney General Ken Paxton visited the town of Carbon on Friday, where he offered support and discussed rebuilding strategies for the community following the Eastland Complex fires, which burned over 54,000 acres and destroyed 86 homes last week.
“So many in Eastland County were left without homes, without supplies, and they need our help,” Paxton said. “Texans know how to come together when tragedy strikes and I want the residents of Carbon, along with surrounding communities to know that I will do everything possible to help in the aftermath of this tragic event.”
Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster for 11 counties affected by the Eastland Complex fire, which was made up of four different fires. There are 14 state agencies and 58 fire departments helping to provide equipment and support in Eastland County, which has around 18,000 residents. The Attorney General’s Office said in a news release that nearly 500 homes were evacuated. The fire was 80% contained as of Friday afternoon.
A fire located in nearby Ranger, about 85 miles east of Fort Worth, started in the city limits on March 17 and resulted in several structure fires. The City of Ranger Police Department announced Sunday that a man was arrested for allegedly starting the fire and is charged with five counts of state jail felony arson.
North Texas is under an elevated fire risk this weekend; the National Weather Service said the condition is near critical for some areas.
Fort Worth, Dallas, Denton, Hillsboro, Waco and more cities west are under an elevated risk Saturday and a near critical risk Sunday. On Monday the Fort Worth area and cities west of I-35 are expected to go back to an elevated fire risk. Rain expected on Tuesday may help mitigate the fire danger.
How to prevent wildfires
According to the National Weather Service, dry and windy conditions increase the chances of fast-spreading wildfires. Highs will be in the 80s to 90s by Monday with breezy south and southwestern winds, leading to increased risk, especially on Sunday.
The National Weather Service posted some tips on preventing wildfires on its website:
- Do not toss lit cigarettes on the ground.
- Avoid dragging tow chains on the ground.
- Do not drive or park over tall grass.
- Never leave a campfire unattended.
- Avoid unnecessary burning.
The National Weather Service also said to stay updated on local weather conditions and to always contact local police and fire departments if you smell smoke or see a fire.
This story was originally published March 25, 2022 at 1:09 PM.
