Severe Drought Conditions Continue
Sabine National Forest, Indian Mounds Wilderness
August 7, 2023 -- Wilderness areas are sensitive in nature with very specific tactics and strategies required when mitigating activity, such as a wildfire within its boundaries. Mechanical equipment and aircraft are not generally permitted in these areas as set forth by the Wilderness Act of 1964. Indian Mounds Wilderness became a Congressionally designated wilderness area in 1984 and is the third largest wilderness area in the state of Texas. Wilderness areas are designed to be left to natural process and generally free from active management.
The Hogpen Fire was started when a storm cell producing significant lightning came through the area. An air to ground strike caused the initial start and the Hogpen Fire began to grow in the wilderness. Suppression operations began on July 24 and as the acres continued to grow additional resources were ordered through Texas Interagency Coordination Center (TICC) dispatch. A Type 3 Incident Management Team was brought in to plan the best strategy for managing resources and the complexities presented by a fire in a Congressionally designated wilderness area. Aerial support was instrumental in the successful suppression of this fire. Bucket drops were conducted over the first two operational periods, stifling the attempted advances of the fire front. Natural barriers and travel ways were utilized to keep the fire from spreading and limit the impact to the wilderness.
Local USFS resources had previously been engaged in suppression activities days prior on two wilderness fires located on the Angelina/Sabine National Forest in the Upland Island Wilderness. Additional resources were a dire need to help support the local district’s suppression efforts with the new wilderness fire. Support poured in from across the nation to assist the Angelina/Sabine districts successfully contain the blaze. Crews responded from as far away as the El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico.
The ongoing fire is currently 50% contained. With Texas facing severe drought conditions and no substantial rainfall expected in the forecast, our crews will continue to remain vigilant on this fire and available to provide support to our state and local partners as requested.
Current Hogpen Stats: 1,219 acres, no firefighters or citizens injured, no damage to property.
Resources: USFS - Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Puerto Rico.
Private Contractors: Florida and Kansas.
The Sabine National Forest would like to thank the Sabine County community, our local county government Judge Melton and Emergency Management official David Roach for their support and coordination efforts. Local businesses and the public have been supportive and shown appreciation for all the resources on this fire.
