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Jun 21, 2011 | Luke Blount

Camp Allen Helps Firefighters as Fires Rage Just Miles Away

Fires in Grimes County, Texas have forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 homes in addition to burning 4,000 acres of land and destroying at least 26 homes according to the Houston Chronicle. The Diocese of Texas' Camp Allen is located about nine miles south of the where the current fires rage. 

 

Summer Camp is in session and many parents have called to check on the situation.

 

“There is no need to evacuate campers,” said Camp Allen President George Dehan. “We have arranged for transportation to take them to the Episcopal church in Hempstead, if we should have to move the campers,”

 

Several Camp Allen employees had to evacuate their homes near Stonham and Plantersville and Dehan asked that everyone keep the firefighters and the families affected in their prayers. 

 

A couple of Camp Allen staffers are also volunteer firefighters, and they are now spending their days battling the blaze.

 

"Randy from our staff was in this morning and said that the fire is now 30 percent contained," Dehan said. "We took the firefighters ice chests full of ice because they didn't have anything cool to drink." 

 

Firefighting helicopters are retrieving water from Camp Allen's big lake, and federal officials are now involved in the firefighting efforts. 

 

"From the roof of our building or another high point, you can see the smoke in the distance," Dehan said. "Hopefully the reduction of wind and the possibility of rain will help us greatly. We will continue to be vigilant and keep you informed."

 

Wildfire danger is currently extraordinarily high as much of Texas suffers from extreme drought. More fires are currently burning in other parts of the state.