WASHINGTON CO. FIRES UNDER INVESTIGATION, SAYS SHERIFF

  

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and other state and local agencies are currently investigating the recent fires throughout the area.

Sheriff Otto Hanak said in a release today (Tuesday) that several fires are undetermined and others are under investigation.  A number of them have been on or near FM 390 and FM 1948 near Lake Somerville and on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property.

Due to the extremely dry conditions of late, the fires can be attributed to several possible causes, such as vehicle mechanical issues, chains or equipment from vehicles or farming machinery, lightning strikes, fireworks or human interaction.

The sheriff’s office, along with the Texas A&M Forest Service, Washington County Firefighters Association and area fire departments, are asking for the public’s help in looking for suspicious vehicles or persons that may be stopped on the side of the road.

If anyone encounters suspicious behavior, they are asked to call 911 or the Washington County dispatch non-emergency number at 979-277-7373.

For information on fire prevention, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu.