Perilous
Times and Climate Change
Homes burned as massive wildfire grows in Texas
By the CNN Wire Staff
April 8, 2011 5:51 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Fire burns more than 71,786 acres in three counties
* Fire traveled 12 miles in less than four hours, official
said
* Two homes burned, 12 others are threatened, according to the
Texas Forest Service
(CNN) -- A fast-moving fire has charred more than 71,786 acres in
three Texas counties, and it's expected to grow, the state's
forest service said Friday.
The blaze, which started in Stonewall County, moved quickly into
neighboring Knox and King counties, destroying two homes and
threatening at least a dozen more, said April Saginor, a Texas
Forest Service worker.
According to Saginor, on Thursday, the flames traveled 12 miles in
less than four hours, jumping the Brazos River and leaving only
charred debris in its path.
Air tankers have dropped at least 58,000 gallons of retardant on
the massive fire, and officials said they believe it will take
several more days before they get it under control.
"Last night, it looked like it was snowing because there was white
ash falling from the sky," Knox County attorney Megan Suarez said.
Despite heavy smoke and zero containment of the fire in Knox
County, Suarez said there have been no evacuations so far.
Local officials are handling an unconfirmed number of evacuations
in other counties, Saginor said.