A fast-moving wildfire in the Texas Panhandle is now the second largest in the state's history. That's according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The Smokehouse Creek fire has burned more than 850,000 acres since Monday afternoon. The fire remains completely uncontained and is expected to grow even more. One Texas county judge said "homes have been burned in almost every direction." The flames have knocked out power and forced families to flee, with evacuations being ordered in several counties. Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties because of the fires.
Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for 60 Texas counties affected by wildfires. The declaration will open additional resources for those battling the fires. Dry conditions and above-normal temperatures blamed for the increased activity. The hardest hit area has been the Panhandle, where several large fires continue to burn. Strong winds helped to whip the flames yesterday, although today the winds have died down a little bit. Rain and snow is forecast for that area tomorrow, but that will be followed by another stretch of dry, warm weather. The Governor says more counties could be added to the declaration if conditions warrant it.