KAUFMAN COUNTY–Kaufman County Judge Hal Richards has issued a disaster declaration July 18 effective immediately. The declaration is due to widespread severe property damage from an almost 500-acre wildfire which continues to burn. To make things worse, high winds have been predicted for next several days which heightens the need for extreme caution.
Dozens of volunteer firefighters from nine volunteer fire departments along with assistance from air resources battled a wildfire engulfing what was thought to be more than 500 acres of grassland July 17. This fire, labeled the King’s Creek Fire located along County Road 4061, began at approximately 4:30 p.m., July 17 and initially was estimated to be five acres. The fire quickly grew to a reported 100 plus acres and was, as of 8:30 a.m. July 18, to be an estimated 508 acres with a 75 percent containment.  
As of July 18, the pace of the emergency had slowed but the actual fire acreage has been determined to be an actual 460 acres. Air support resources have now been redirected to other higher priority areas but dozens of firefighters remain on the scene from the volunteer departments.
The County’s Emergency Management Plan has been implemented and the Executive Order states that this proclamation takes effect immediately from and after its issuance.
• The use of fireworks in any form shall be prohibited and subject to the penalty under violation of the Kaufman County Emergency Operations Plan which is $1,000 and/or 180 days in jail.
• A fire extinguisher be readily available within reach and use when doing hot work such as welding, utilizing any farm equipment that could potentially cause a spark or cause a fire to occur.
• All must adhere to all evacuation orders issued by the County Emergency Management Coordinator or the County Fire Marshal as per Section 418 of the Texas Government Code.
• This state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from July 18 unless it is continued by consent of the Commissioners Court of the County of Kaufman.