July 4, 2009

Authorities may have been successful in banning many fireworks on the fourth of July, but working fires ran amok. As of this writing, the worst occurred in an area that connects Montgomery, Harris and Liberty Counties.

Just after noon, the Huffman Fire Department was dispatched to FM 2100 north of that city around Huffman-New Caney Road. Crews arrived to find thick widespread smoke, but had difficulty locating its source. They were finally able to locate the fire, which had no easy access, forcing them to use driveways, ranch gates, and pipeline rights of way.

Huffman Fire initially called for assistance from the Plum Grove Fire Department. By the time the fire was under control six hours later, a total of 15 agencies were involved from all three counties, along with the Texas Forest Service, who provided two bulldozers.

The fire was stopped within 200 yards from 70 to 80 homes in Roman Forest and the Peach Creek subdivision.

No cause has been determined as of this writing.

The following area fire agencies were involved:

Montgomery County fire departments
Porter
New Caney
Splendora
Needham Fire Rescue
Bennett
Cut and Shoot

Liberty County fire departments
Tarkington
Cypress Lakes
Cleveland
Hwy 321
Plum Grove

Harris County fire departments
Huffman
Crosby
Atascocita