A disaster has been declared in 11 Texas counties as a massive wildfire that burned at least 50 homes and killed a sheriff’s deputy continues to spread.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, firefighters are battling a fire at the Eastland complex, which has engulfed 45,000 acres and was only 15 percent contained as of Saturday.
The fire started on Thursday and quickly spread due to dry conditions and wind gusts in excess of 40 mph across much of the state.
Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster on Friday in the counties hardest hit by the wildfires after confirming dozens of homes had been destroyed by the blaze.
Eastland County is home to about 18,000 people. About 475 homes were evacuated in the city of Gorman, but officials don’t yet know how many structures may have burned, Texas A&M Forest Service spokesman Matthew Ford said.
The Texas A&M Forest Service warned that the fires could also affect parts of Oklahoma and Kansas, while Nebraska warned of an extreme fire risk.
Videos of the fire posted on social media show the flames turning into what looks like a “fire tornado”.
In the photo, the flames quickly spread through dry grass as the wildfire spreads due to dry conditions and gusts of wind.
Flames from a fire at the Eastland complex are seen on Thursday evening. Since the start, the wildfire has engulfed 45,000 acres of land.
Fires in La Paloma are observed in Starr County on Friday. The fire has covered approximately 1,036 acres and is 80 percent contained.
Priscilla Maynard is pictured in front of a burned-out house Friday near Carbon, Texas, as firefighters struggle to contain a wildfire spreading through Eastland County.
Visibility is poor due to a fire that has caused fog up to hundreds of miles away.
On Thursday, the Eastland County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. MP Barbara Fenley died helping a resident escape the fire.
According to the sheriff’s office, Fenley went door to door forcing residents to evacuate their homes, and the last time she communicated, she indicated she was going to check on an elderly man in Carbon, Texas.
“Given the extremely deteriorating conditions and poor visibility due to smoke, Sgt. Fenley ran off the roadway and was engulfed in flames,” the sheriff said in a statement.
The 51-year-old woman is survived by her husband and three sons.
“She didn’t care who you were or what you did. She was always going to be there; It didn’t matter if you were 5 or 85, she was going to take care of you,” her son John told NBC 5.
The Cisco Police Department posted a tribute to their “sister” and said she would be greatly missed.
“She was a special servant and an attribute of our profession. We will kneel in prayer for her family, friends and colleagues as they grieve. Rest in peace dear friend, you will be missed.”
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush praised the bravery of the 51-year-old man.
Fenley’s aide was killed trying to save citizens from fires raging last night in West Texas. Her services to our state will not be forgotten,” Bush wrote on Twitter.
On Thursday, the Eastland County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. MP Barbara Fenley (pictured) died helping a resident escape the fire.
The pickup is marked with an “X” on Friday in Carbon, Texas, signifying it has been inspected and cleaned by staff.
On Thursday, a family walks through smoke after being evacuated from the Continental Villa mobile home park in Abilene, Texas.
Eastland County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. MP Barbara Fenley, who died helping people in a wildfire on Thursday, left behind her husband and three sons.
“She didn’t care who you were or what you did. She was always going to be there; Whether you were 5 or 85, she was going to take care of you,” said her son John (pictured with Fenley).
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth warned Friday that much of western and central Texas is facing increased fire risk due to dry and windy conditions and urged residents to check for local burning bans and be careful with anything that could start a fire. herbs.
“Last year we had a pretty dry summer that continued into the fall and winter,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Madison Gordon. With the onset of winter, “we now have plenty of fuel in the fields.”
The fires have created haze hundreds of miles from the city: The Houston Fire Department and the city’s emergency management office sent out automatic telephone messages Friday morning warning area residents of smoke and ash.
A video of the fire posted to social media shows the flames turning into what looks like a “fire tornado”, while another clip shows the full extent of the massive flames from above, as seen from the plane at night.
A Baptist church in downtown Ranger, Texas, about 85 miles west of Fort Worth, was destroyed Thursday as flames engulfed the 103-year-old building. The police department and other historic buildings were also burned, Dallas’s WFAA reported.
Roy Rogers, a deacon at the Second Baptist Church, said the third floor and roof collapsed, and the rest of the building was badly damaged by smoke and water. Rogers said the church plans to hold the next Sunday service in a parking lot across the street where the congregation will decide what to do.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Rogers said. “Many people take it very hard because many people have connections with the church.”
On Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster in the 11 counties hardest hit by the wildfires after confirming at least 50 homes had been destroyed.