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Photo U.S. Forest Service
January 4, 2025 - The Madley Fire on the Sabine National Forest is currently 80% contained and estimated at 674 acres. Fire operations remain normal, with crews continuing to strengthen containment lines and monitor the fire area. Smoke may still be visible as fuels continue to burn within the established perimeter. There is no current threat to the public, and firefighter and public safety remain the top priorities.
January 3, 2025 - (Update: 6:26pm) - According to information released by the U.S. Forest Service, by 5:45pm firefighters completed Saturday’s planned burnout operations on the Madley Fire in Shelby County.
As of this update, the fire is estimated at 435 acres and 40% contained. Dozer lines are complete, crews are holding along the creek, and burnout operations for the day are finished.
Fire resources will continue to monitor and hold containment lines to ensure firefighter and public safety. There is no additional burnout planned for tonight, January 3.
They stated they appreciate the public’s cooperation and support as crews continue suppression efforts.
Photo U.S. Forest Service
Photo U.S. Forest Service
Burnout operations are in progress in the Sabine National Forest area of Shelby County near Huxley.
The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas issued at 10:22pm yesterday, January 3 a Wildfire Report advising a wildfire had been confirmed near the community of Huxley. The wildfire was located on the Sabine National Forest Compartment 43 area and named the fire Madley which had an estimated size of 75 plus acres. The direction of spread was South and containment lines are in place.
Burnout operations are planned for this afternoon, January 3rd on the Madley Fire, located in Shelby County on the Sabine National Forest.
Firefighters will be working off established dozer lines to conduct burnout operations, with fire activity expected to reach approximately 400–500 acres. The objective of today’s operations is to reduce available fuels near containment lines and strengthen control of the fire.
Forest Service Roads 135, 126, and 126C are within the operational area. Motorists and forest visitors should use caution and be prepared for smoke, fire activity, and the presence of firefighting equipment.
Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority. Additional updates will be shared as conditions change.
January 3, 2026 - U.S. Forest Service personel are actively fighting a wildfire in the Sabine National Forest near the City of Huxley.
According to details released by the U.S. Forest Service, Sabine National Forest Compartment 43 is the location of the fire which has been named "Madley," has an estimated initial size of 75+ acres with the direction of spread indicated as South
Fire crews are actively working the incident, and updates will be shared as more information becomes available. There is no additional information on threats to the public at this time.
Please avoid the area to allow firefighters to work safely and efficiently. The U.S. Forest Service appreciates everyone’s patience and support as crews continue suppression efforts.
As of 11:45pm January 2, 2026, an update indicated that the Madley Fire (Sabine National Forest) was contained for the night. All fire resources were released for the night and have since returned to the scene Saturday morning to continue monitoring and suppression efforts.
The forest service indicated that there remains no threat to people or property at this time.
January 2, 2026 - Center Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire in the 600 block of Greer Street Friday, January 2, 2025, at around 12:50pm.
When the firefighters arrived the truck, a 2018 Dodge Ram 1500, was fully on fire in the engine area of the vehicle.
Firefighters quickly began spraying the fire with water and were able to prevent further spread to the rest of the vehicle, and anything else on the property.
According to the Center Fire Department, the fire is suspected to have been electrical in nature, as evidenced by the intense scorching and melting in the vicinity of the battery and fuse box.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
Center Police Department also responded to the scene to assist.
January 2, 2026 - Emergency personnel respoded to the discovery of a body at Logansport Bridge at the state line between Texas and Louisiana early Friday, January 2, 2025.
At around 8:30am agencies in Shelby County responded to the location to assist DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department deputies in their investigation.
According to details released by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, their deputies are investigating the death of an unidentified Hispanic male who appears to have been struck by a train in Logansport.
The individual was discovered during the overnight hours in a position where the body was lodged within the train trestle structure. Preliminary information suggests the incident was accidental. Deputies are currently working with Union Pacific Railroad to determine a more precise timeline of events, including a review of available train video footage.
According to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office, at this time no additional information is available. This remains an ongoing investigation.
Responding to the scene were Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3; Shelby County Sheriff's deputies; Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department; and DeSoto Parish Fire District 1 fire personnel.
January 1, 2026 - While this burn ban doesn’t specifically restrict the use of fireworks: I urge anyone using fireworks to be extremely careful and make sure all flames are out before you leave them unattended.
If the need arises there are specific rules and regulations that can be followed to ban the use of fireworks. So again, I humbly ask that you use caution when handling fireworks, the house fire that you prevent may be your own or your neighbors.
Please be Texas Smart and protect yourself and others in 2026.
January 1, 2026 - Due to the severe draught and lack of rainfall, I, Allison Harbison, am issuing a Burn Ban effective today, January 1, 2026 at 5pm. Over the last couple of days our Volunteer Fire Departments have been spending their holidays literally putting out fires.
I urge everyone to be safe and respect this Emergency Order. I wish everyone a Happy New Year! Be safe and be smart!
Judge Allison Harbison
Emergency Declaration of Disaster and Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning
WHEREAS, the County of Shelby is under imminent threat of severe damage, injury of loss of life or property resulting from the threat of wildfires due to extremely dry grassland fuel, drought and other weather-related conditions; and
WHEREAS, THE COUNTY JUDGE of Shelby County has determined that to mitigate the hazard posed by wildfires during the current dry conditions, extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property,
Now, THEREFORE,, be it proclaimed by the County Judge of Shelby County:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby proclaimed for Shelby County pursuant to §418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.
2. This Declaration of a local state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners Court of Shelby County.
3. All outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Shelby County. This Order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities carried out by Federal Certified Agencies.
4. This Declaration of shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk of Shelby County.
5. This Declaration of the local state of disaster activates the Shelby County Emergency Management Plan.
This Proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance; ORDERED this 1st day of January, 2026 at 5pm.
December 31, 2025 - Shelby County firefighters are regularly responding to grass and brush fires this week as 2025 comes to a close December 31, 2025.
Center Fire Department confirms having received two grass fire calls on Wednesday, December 31, while also responding to three grass fire calls on December 30, on Nacogdoches Street in Center, on County Road 2468 and County Road 1090.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department reports several grass fires on Wednesday. Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a grass and woods fire just after 5pm on FM 139.
During Shelby County Commissioners’ Court Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, shared that Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department reports several fires to him.
According to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), Shelby County is in the 301 - 500 KBDI range on December 31, 2025, where it was at a range of 190 - 301 KBDI on December 15, suggesting conditions are quickly becoming dryer.
According to Texas A&M University, the drought index ranges from 0 to 800, where a drought index of 0 represents no moisture depletion, and an index of 800 represents absolutely dry conditions. Presently, this index is derived from ground based estimates of temperature and precipitation derived from weather stations and interpolated manually by experts at Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) for counties across the state. Researchers at Texas A&M University are working with TAMFS to derive this index from AVHRR satellite data and NEXRAD radar rainfall within a GIS.
Residents are being encouraged not to burn of at all possible, and if setting off fireworks celebrating the new year, to consider doing so in a safe area and to make emergency preparations in the event a fire should start.
December 31, 2025 - Hurst Street just near the intersection with Foster Street in Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash involving one vehicle absent a driver on December 16, 2025.
According to the Center Police Department, at around 1:48pm a passenger vehicle driven by Margaret Freeman, 83, of Timpson was northbound on Hurst Street traveling through the Foster Street intersection when a truck rolled into the street from the Napa parking lot and caused the vehicles to collide.
It was determined the truck had rolled backwards after the driver Larry Smith, 62, of Kilgore, failed to put his vehicle into park resulting in it rolling downhill into the roadway.
Freeman was not reported to have been injured as a result of the collision.
During the investigation of the crash, it was discovered that Smith had a warrant out of Panola County for failure to appear with the original charge being carrying prohibited weapon, felony 3. Smith also had a warrant for unlawful possession of firearm by felon, felony 3; and in the jail it was alleged Smith was carrying a prohibited substance and he was also charged with prohibited substance in a correctional facility and possession of a controlled substance.
The crash was investigated by Center Police Officer Brandon Tyler and Sgt. Brian Wright.
December 27, 2025 - U.S. Highway 59 (North 1st Street) in Timpson was the scene of a two-vehicle crash December 26, 2025, at just before 12-noon.
Both vehicles involved came to rest in the inside southbound traffic lane, and remained at risk of a second collision due to high traffic. Passers-by came to the immediate aid of those involved directing vehicles around the crash scene until emergency personnel arrived. Timpson Volunteer Fire Department personnel blocked the lane, along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers, until it was deemed possible to move the vehicles to a safe location out of the highway.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 11:55am a black Honda Civic driven by Sha Mar Je Rald Mahoney, 25, of Shreveport, was northbound on U.S. Highway 59 just past the intersection of Jacob Street. At that time a GMC Acadia driven by Ashlyn Nicole Creech, 22, of Center attempted to exit a private drive at Texas Quick Care while her view was blocked by a parked car. As the Arcadia entered onto U.S. 59, it entered the path of the Honda causing it to collide with the driver’s side of the GMC.
Creech and a 3-month-old were transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center for medical evaluation, as were Mahoney and his passenger, Jason Michael Dantzler, Jr., 21.
Creech was issued citations for failure to yield right of way when exiting a private driveway.
Trooper Jones was assisted at the scene by Sgt. Micah Rucker and Trooper Taylor Buster.
December 24, 2025 - On 12-21-2025, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Sandhill public water system, 2100013, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of 12-24-2025.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
December 21, 2025 - Due to a broken water line the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Sandhills public water system 2100013 to notify All Sandhills Customers. to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
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