Firefighters have worked hard to combat multiple wildfires across Texas that have burned tens of thousands of acres.
The fires that spread over the last week have forced several towns to evacuate and killed at least one member of law enforcement.
Seven active wildfires have burned across an estimated 54,015 acres over the weekend, and they are only 30% contained, according to the local forest service. More than 140 structures have been reported destroyed, according to local officials.
The largest fire, known as Kidd Fire in Eastland County, has burned 42,333 acres as of Sunday evening and is 40% contained.
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The seven fires are part of a much larger series of wildfires that have burned across Texas in the last week. An estimated 175 wildfires burned across 95,000 acres in Texas in the previous week, reported CNN. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration on Friday for 11 counties.
Eastland County Deputy Sgt. Barbara Fenley died on Thursday as she was attempting to help evacuate Carbon, Texas. She was last heard from while going to assist an elderly person, according to the Eastland County Sheriff’s Office. Abbott ordered flags be flown at half-mast in Fenley’s honor.
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Forecasters in Texas are concerned that the weather conditions in the area may worsen things. The National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning on Sunday, noting that it expects “elevated to critical fire weather conditions” in the immediate future due to low humidity, warm temperatures, and strong winds.
