Evacuations were ordered in portions of Texas as wildfires are blazing across the state.
Multiple wildfires merged into what the Fire Department called a “complex” near Eastland, some 120 miles west of Dallas.
By Friday morning, the fires had scorched an area of 162 square miles, according to Texas A & M Forest Service.
It was only 2% contained, and fires burned through thick bushes and on grassy areas.
Other minor fires have been blazing in other parts of Texas, and Thursday’s low humidity and high winds created an ideal scenario for the flames to rapidly get out of control.
Texas A & M Forest Service warned about wildfire outbreaks because of the guidance this week.
There were no injuries by Friday morning.
A nursing home in Rising Star has been evacuated and residents have been taken to a community centre, Eastland County Today reported.
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
Update: the #EastlandComplex in Eastland County is an estimated 38,383 acres and 0% contained. Crews are focusing on operations related to life safety and structure protection as well as the construction of fireline where possible. #txfire pic.twitter.com/kpbBA7T3YM
— Incident Information – Texas A&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) March 18, 2022
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
Update: the #EastlandComplex in Eastland County is an estimated 45,383 acres and 4% contained. #txfire pic.twitter.com/ryipoZVmrr
— Incident Information – Texas A&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) March 18, 2022
