Texas Records 24 New Wildfires Burning 7,700 Acres and Destroying Dozens of Homes Amid Drought Conditions
Texas has recorded 24 new wildfires that continue to burn across the state, with at least dozens of homes damaged by the fires.
Daily Mail reported that two dozen fires had destroyed 7,774 acres of land from central to East Texas and as far south as Walnut Creek.
The wildfires are predicted to destroy more properties as they get closer to urban areas, with excessive heat warnings expected in the next 10 days. Currently, no deaths and only minor injuries have been reported.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott told Texans to be vigilant of wildfires during the summer heatwave as temperatures have reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Abbott said the state is still coordinating the response to help residents and communities affected by or at risk of wildfires.
The Republican governor then called on Texans to remain vigilant and be aware of the weather to protect themselves and their loved ones from dangerous wildfires.
Abbott renewed disaster area declarations last week for the 72 counties that are affected by fires. He also renewed a drought disaster declaration for 189 counties in the state. Abbott noted that 99% of the state was experiencing drought conditions.
New Wildfires in Texas
Evacuation orders were issued in response to the Chalk Mountain Fire, spreading from Somervell County into Hood County on Tuesday.
The largest fire is the Chalk Mountain Fire. It started on Monday near Glen Rose, Texas, and has reduced 10 square miles of brush, grass, and juniper to ashes.
The Texas A&M Forest Services noted it is only 10% contained. ABC News reported that the largest wildfire burned 6,000 acres and destroyed at least 12 structures as of Wednesday morning.
The National Weather Service has also released a red flag warning for northern Texas and southern Oklahoma.
The Texas A&M Forest Service said they were using bulldozers to dig containment lines around the fires. It added that they were using aircraft to drop water on the growing flames.
Meanwhile, the East County Fire in Kaufman County is currently at 500 acres burned while 40% contained. The West Bend Fire has burned 6,552 acres, while Nethery Road Fire has burned 3,262 acres. Both have reached 80 to 90% containment.
Palo Pinto County Wildfire in Texas
The Palo Pinto County wildfire had burned an estimated 500 acres, and firefighters continue to contain it. The forest service said the wildfire was 15% contained as of Wednesday, Forth Worth Star-Telegram reported.
Officials noted that there was no threat to the nearby Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant. A total of 90 firefighters worked around the clock focusing on protecting properties while digging a containment line around the fire's northeastern leading edge.
The Palo Pinto County fire affected Possum Kingdom Lake around 80 miles west of Forth Worth, which resulted in evacuations and burning homes on the lake shore. The Stanifer Branch Fire in Bosque County has been 80% contained as of Tuesday night.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Mary Webber
WATCH: Texas Wildfires: Latest on Fire Near Possum Kingdom Lake and Others Throughout State - From WFAA