Wildfires Keep Burning, Threaten Dallas-Fort Worth
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Wildfires continued to burn rampantly across the state of Texas on Tuesday and are approaching Dallas, as the Forest Service struggles to keep on top of the situation.
So far, more than 1,500,000 acres have been scorched by several different fires and have been relegated to the southeastern portion of the lone star state but that might soon change.
Fires have hit Young County, where 2,000 acres have already burned, the forest service said. Young County is around 25 miles south-southeast of Dallas-Fort Worth. The town of Bunger and some nearby cities have been evacuated over the past several days due to the so-called Possum Kingdom fire.
The Possum Kingdom fire has increased from around 60,000 acres, which was initially reported on Monday to more than 100,000 acres on Tuesday.
In Young county and nearby areas, more than 600 homes are threatened, said the Forest Service.
Austin, the capital city and located in the center-southern part of the state, suffered due to a fire in the Oak Hill neighborhood. Accidental arson was blamed as the cause.
More than 200 counties in the state have initiated burn bans as the hot and dry weather continues to persist, essentially making portions of the state a tinderbox. Authorities say that they have responded to more than 7,800 fires in the state so far this season.
Forest officials noted that “historic drought and critical fire weather conditions” have made it extremely difficult for firefighters to contain the fires. Excessive wind has only aggravated the problem.
On Monday, five new firefighting aircraft were deployed to help contain the blazes. However, as officials noted, a persistent lack of manpower has severely hampered efforts to slow the fires.
Texas Governor Rick Perry sent a letter to the Obama administration, requesting that a major disaster declaration be proclaimed.
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"As wildfires continue to rage across our state, Texas is reaching its capacity to respond to these emergencies and is in need of federal assistance,” he said in a statement. “I urge President Obama to approve our request quickly so Texans can continue receiving the resources and support they need as wildfires remain an ongoing threat.”
So far, more than 1,500,000 acres have been scorched by several different fires and have been relegated to the southeastern portion of the lone star state but that might soon change.
Fires have hit Young County, where 2,000 acres have already burned, the forest service said. Young County is around 25 miles south-southeast of Dallas-Fort Worth. The town of Bunger and some nearby cities have been evacuated over the past several days due to the so-called Possum Kingdom fire.
The Possum Kingdom fire has increased from around 60,000 acres, which was initially reported on Monday to more than 100,000 acres on Tuesday.
In Young county and nearby areas, more than 600 homes are threatened, said the Forest Service.
Austin, the capital city and located in the center-southern part of the state, suffered due to a fire in the Oak Hill neighborhood. Accidental arson was blamed as the cause.
More than 200 counties in the state have initiated burn bans as the hot and dry weather continues to persist, essentially making portions of the state a tinderbox. Authorities say that they have responded to more than 7,800 fires in the state so far this season.
Forest officials noted that “historic drought and critical fire weather conditions” have made it extremely difficult for firefighters to contain the fires. Excessive wind has only aggravated the problem.
On Monday, five new firefighting aircraft were deployed to help contain the blazes. However, as officials noted, a persistent lack of manpower has severely hampered efforts to slow the fires.
Texas Governor Rick Perry sent a letter to the Obama administration, requesting that a major disaster declaration be proclaimed.
Related Articles
■Tornadoes Could Hit Southern US Again
"As wildfires continue to rage across our state, Texas is reaching its capacity to respond to these emergencies and is in need of federal assistance,” he said in a statement. “I urge President Obama to approve our request quickly so Texans can continue receiving the resources and support they need as wildfires remain an ongoing threat.”
