August 28, 2023 - The Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) was dispatched to Highway 59 N in reference to a massive fire on August 27, 2023, around 2:14pm.
Tenaha Police Department Officer Jake Metcalf reported to Shelby County Dispatch that the fire was growing in size and moving rapidly towards structures and requested that Joaquin VFD, Timpson VFD, Woods VFD, and Gary VFD be notified to provide water for the Tenaha VFD. It was reported that Texas Forest Service was requested at the same time. Officer Metcalf made contact with Fireman Craig Terry and they made the determination for an evacuation of five homes located on U.S. Highway 59 North at that time. The residents were evacuated immediately and were not injured. Tenaha PD Officer Jake Metcalf requested assistance from Shelby County Sheriff's office or any available agency. After speaking with Fireman Craig Terry and Fire Chief Mark Odom with the Tenaha Fire Department, they concluded it was necessary to evacuate residences in the area and also areas the fire could potentially spread to, which was County Road 4475, County Road 4505 and parts of Highway 84 located in Tenaha.
Tenaha PD, Texas DPS Troopers and Shelby County Sheriff's office worked to notify all residents to evacuate. All residents were evacuated safely and informed if they had nowhere to go that they could go to the Tenaha First Baptist church or Tenaha Church of Christ Fellowship Hall.
At 6:44pm Texas Forest Service released all Fire Departments to return to their stations and allowed residents to return back to their homes. Texas Forest Service will remain monitoring hot spots and blazes.
According to the Texas Forest Service the fire was covered 108 acres, containment has reached 100%, as of 1am, August 28. No structures were lost due to this fire, but two structures were damaged including two outdoor buildings.
The City of Tenaha and the Tenaha PD express a huge thank you to Shelby County Sheriffs Office, Texas DPS, Shelby County Constables, All off duty Officers that responded, Seth Shrell w/ TDEM, Scott Burkhalter w/ Zitan Protective Services, Tenaha ISD PD, Tenaha VFD, Joaquin VFD, Timpson VFD, Shelbyville VFD, Huxley VFD, West Shelby County VFD, Center FD, Woods VFD, Gary VFD, Carthage FD, Montgomery County Fire/Rescue, Schertz Fire/ Rescue, Texas Forest Service, Georgia Forest Service, Tenaha First Baptist Church and the Tenaha Church of Christ and any business that donated food or water to the first responders.
Please be reminded that Shelby County is still under a burn ban and our vegetation is extremely dry which makes fires spread quickly and causes them to be more dangerous.
