Weather conditions have caused wildfires to spread in Texas, resulting in evacuations of some communities, but so far no one was reported injured on Friday.
Per the Associated Press (AP):
Several wildfires merged to form what fire officials call a “complex” that was burning near Eastland, about 120 miles (195 kilometers) west of Dallas.
As of Friday morning, the fires had burned about 62.5 square miles (162 square kilometers), according to Texas A&M Forest Service. It was only 2% contained and fires were burning in thick brush and grass fields.
In a social media post Thursday evening, the Texas A&M Forest Service said fires were sweeping across approximately 13,000 acres.
Flames quickly spread through dry grass west of Abilene, Texas near Old Highway 80 Thursday, March 17, 2022. (Ronald W. Erdrich/The Abilene Reporter-News via AP)
An image showed the Eastland Complex fire’s location, which was near Cross Plains, Carbon, and Cisco:
Alert: Multiple fires in Eastland County have been combined into the #EastlandComplex. This includes the #WallingFire. Fires are burning actively in heavy brush and are an estimated 13,000 acres. The Southern Area Grey Incident Management Team Type 3 has been ordered. pic.twitter.com/Ok7RIE16JQ
— Incident Information – Texas A&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) March 17, 2022
The forest service noted Friday morning in an update the Eastland Complex spread across approximately 39,883 acres:
Update: the #EastlandComplex in Eastland County is an estimated 39,883 acres and 2% contained. #txfire
— Incident Information – Texas A&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) March 18, 2022
Eastland County has approximately 18,000 residents.
WILDFIRE DANGER: Texas wildfires fueled by gusty winds prompt evacuations.STORY: https://www.kxxv.com/news/texas-wildfires-fueled-by-gusty-winds-prompt-evacuations
Posted by 25 News KXXV on Friday, March 18, 2022
Video footage taken early Friday showed the blaze spread out over large areas:
“Other smaller fires were burning throughout other areas of Texas, and Thursday’s low humidity and high winds created an ideal scenario for the blazes to quickly grow out of control,” the AP report said.
A resident named Brien Hoskins lost his home and pets due to the fire in Carbon.
“Just trying to make a living for me and my wife. It’s all gone,” he said, adding, “I just hope that somebody can help us get another home.”
Brien Hoskins lost his home and several dogs as the #EastlandComplex #fire tore through #Carbon #Texas.
He says he's grateful for a local deputy who got him to safety & the winds shifted direction quickly and there wasn't enough time to rescue his dogs. @accuweather pic.twitter.com/j8RVZN4wiC
— Bill Wadell (@BillWadell) March 18, 2022
In an update on Friday, the Eastland Fire Department reported the forest service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) firefighters joined with local agencies, working together throughout the night regarding the wildfires:
Wildfire Update – March 18, 2022 0940 amTexas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS)…
Posted by Eastland Fire Department on Friday, March 18, 2022
“Strong winds and critically dry grasses contributed to extreme fire behavior and rapid rates of spread across the landscape. Fire crews continued to focus on life safety and structure protection as well as constructing containment lines where possible,” the department said.
According to the AP article, officials had not reported any injuries as of Friday morning.
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