Devastating video footage shows cattle burning across Texas in the wake of wildfires – and herds desperately fleeing the scorching state.
A video shows cattle fleeing the massive Smokehouse Creek Fire, which has burned 850,000 acres since it ignited Monday, making it the second-largest wildfire on record in the Lone Star State.
Another clip shows the scattered bodies of cattle that perished in the flames – which spread at an average speed of 150 football fields per minute.
Ranch workers didn't have time to evacuate their livestock as the blazing fire approached, Katlyn Butler, whose husband works at Turkey Track Ranch, told CNN.
“We cut the fences and unfortunately had to get out because firefighters had to save the communities,” she told the outlet.
A cow killed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire lies in a field outside Canadian, Texas, on Wednesday
Horrifying clips show cattle rushing into their herds to escape the smoke and flames
Devastating video footage shows cattle being burned after wildfires in Texas
Herds of cattle are seen desperately fleeing the scorching wildfires in Texas
“We lost livestock. “I'm not sure what's alive and what's not,” Butler told CNN.
The wildfires in the Texas Panhandle led to evacuations, power outages and the temporary closure of a nuclear weapons facility.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties in response to the wildfires.
“Texans are urged to limit activities that could generate sparks and take precautions to ensure the safety of their loved ones,” Abbott said.
Over 5,400 people in Texas were without power Wednesday morning.
The Pantex plant, the country's main facility that assembles and dismantles America's nuclear arsenal, had evacuated most of its staff on Tuesday evening as fires near its facility spiraled out of control.
Early Wednesday, Pantex tweeted that the facility was “open for normal day shift operations” and that all employees were required to report for duty according to their assigned schedule.
A firefighter with the Flower Mound Fire Department helps contain a wildfire in the Panhandle region of Texas
A herd of frightened cows stick together as a devastating fire rages in Texas in the background
The wildfires in the Texas Panhandle led to evacuations, power outages and the temporary closure of a nuclear weapons facility
The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned 500,000 acres since it ignited Monday, making it the second-largest wildfire on record in the Lone Star State
As the blazing fire approached, ranch workers had no time to evacuate their livestock
A cow killed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire lies on a cattle guard outside Canadian, Texas
Cattle killed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire lay in a burned field outside Canadian, Texas
Benny Rupprecht looks at his home destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire on February 28 in Canadian, Texas
The Grape Vine Creek Fire has reached 30,000 acres, the Reamer Fire has scorched 2,000 acres, Windy Deuce Fire has burned 40,000 acres and the Magenta Fire has burned 2,000 acres
“Houses were burning in almost every direction,” Hemphill County Judge Lisa Johnson told local newspaper The Canadian Record
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties in response to the wildfires
Gusty winds of up to 60 miles per hour, dry conditions and unseasonably warm temperatures have fueled the flames
“The Smokehouse Creek Fire is being fueled by southwesterly winds reaching 60 mph and is rapidly spreading east-northeast toward the Texas town of Canadian,” said AccuWeather severe weather expert Guy Pearson.
Gusty winds, dry conditions and unseasonably warm temperatures have fueled the flames.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Grape Vine Creek Fire has reached 30,000 acres, the Reamer Fire has scorched 2,000 acres, the Windy Deuce Fire has burned 40,000 acres and the Magenta Fire has burned 2,000 acres.
Evacuations were ordered in Skellytown, Wheeler, Allison and Briscoe, according to the National Weather Service in Amarillo.
The Canadian Independent School District canceled classes on Wednesday.
“Houses were burning in almost every direction,” Hemphill County Judge Lisa Johnson told local newspaper The Canadian Record.
Mason Holloway and Hugh Lively search the remains of a relative's home destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire in Canadian, Texas
Hugh Lively looks at the remains of his sister's home, destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire in Canadian, Texas
A Volkswagen destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire sits alongside other destroyed vehicles in Canadian, Texas
The remains of a bicycle lie in front of a home destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire. The Canadian Independent School District canceled classes on Wednesday
A charred vehicle sits in the driveway of a home destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire. The Hansford County Office of Emergency Management said on Facebook: “Structures and homes lost in Hemphill County inside and outside of Canada.”
A view of a home burned by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire in Canadian, Texas
The remains of a vehicle lie inside a home destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire
Flames from the Smokehouse Creek Fire have spread at an average rate of 150 football fields per minute. Remains of plants burned by the Smokehouse Creek Fire can be seen in the image
Burned cars rest in Richard Murray's garage outside Canadian, Texas
A view shows power lines destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire
The weather forecast gave firefighters hope – cooler temperatures, less wind and possible rain on Thursday
The aerial photo shows the damage after the wildfires in Texas
The remains of a burned home smolder in Canadian, Texas on Wednesday
Smoke rises from smoldering hay bales outside the town of Canadian, Texas, on Wednesday
Randall County, Potter County and the city of Amarillo had declared a local state of disaster, according to the Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management.
The Hansford County Office of Emergency Management said on Facebook: “Structures and homes lost in Hemphill County inside and outside of Canada.”
“Several areas in Fritch and surrounding areas were evacuated and several homes were lost to the fires.”
The weather forecast gave firefighters some hope: cooler temperatures, less wind and possibly rain are forecast for Thursday.
AccuWeather meteorologist Dan DePodwin said, “Winds of 10 to 20 mph are expected Wednesday, which is much calmer than Tuesday. “This should help with firefighting efforts.”