Residents Evacuated As Fire Crews Work To Contain Wildfire In Warren County

National Guard helicopters arrived in Warren County Tuesday to help fight a wildfire that started Monday evening.

The aerial support came after County Executive Terry Bell declared a state of emergency. The helicopters have coordinated at least two drops of water on the flames located behind Isha. The Warren County Sheriff’s Department reported that 35 percent of the fire is contained with no structures in immediate danger.

Some 85 firefighters and 30 apparatuses have been battling the blaze near Isha Lane off Highway 8 since Monday night. All residents of Isha and Curtistown were recommended to evacuate early Tuesday morning.

Crews initially responded to the area Monday after reports of a person who had previously been banned from the premises. That person set up a camp fire that became uncontained resulting in the wildfire. Robert Vincent Halter has been arrested and taken into custody charged with Reckless Burning and Criminal Trespassing.

Fire crews from across the region have responded to the fire including the Putnam County Fire Department, volunteer fire departments from Van Buren County and Cannon County. TEMA has also offered mutual aid.

The Harrison Ferry Mountain Fire Department is open as a temporary shelter and drop-off location for donations.