NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TX (KTRE) -
Mounting bills from this summer's Angelina River Bottom fire in Nacogdoches County linger.
It took over a week to fight the massive fire, however, the expenses were just shy of the county being able to receive state reimbursement, which means the burden falls to citizens and the volunteer fire departments.
On Tuesday, Nacogdoches County Commissioners authorized a new line item in this year's budget to reimburse the VFDs for fuel expenses.
"The voluntary fire departments are all on a very limited amount of money and budget and the county does feel like it's our obligation to reimburse those volunteer fire departments for at least the gas that they use. Some of the fire departments used $1,000 a day in gas putting that fire out," said Judge Joe English, Nacogdoches County.
English says a permanent line item for wildfires may be considered for future budgets. The county is aware the drought is expected to extend into this coming summer.
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