Hunt County under Level 1 State of Emergency

By Click the MP3 icon to listen as Hunt County Emergency Management Coordinator Richard Hill urges residents to use caution and think prevention.

Scott Harvey

Hunt County – Hunt County has been placed at a Level 1 State of Emergency following recent damage and destruction from area fires. Officials from all 13 County Fire Departments were called to special meeting Saturday in Commerce to discuss plans. Hunt County Emergency Management Coordinator Richard Hill says the biggest risk of fire could be between Tuesday and Thursday if conditions continue. As of Saturday, 184 Texas Counties were under burn bans. Hill adds that within a 24 hour period last week over 70,000 acres and 60 homes were destroyed due to grass or wild land fires.

Hill said the county's volunteer firefighters are the fist line of defense and stressed how essential they are and how hard they've worked. He also gave credit to the area's charitable organizations and their dedication in helping those affected by recent fires.

Click the MP3 icon to listen as Hunt County Emergency Management Coordinator Richard Hill urges residents to use caution and think prevention.