Massive wildfire breaks out in Walker County, Texas – with THOUSANDS urged to evacuate their homes
Massive wildfire breaks out in Walker County, Texas, urging THOUSANDS to evacuate their homes
- Texas officials have asked residents near a 500-acre wildfire to leave their homes after expanding 400 acres in just a few hours
- The large fire in Walker County is believed to have started early Friday afternoon in a wooded area before quickly engulfing
- It is currently unclear what caused the fire and whether anyone was injured
Texas officials are urging residents to flee their homes after a massive wildfire broke out north of Houston.
A large fire broke out in a wooded area along Lost Indian Camp Road Friday afternoon, according to the Walker County Office of Emergency Management.
The latest update from officials said the fire had spread to 500 acres and was left unattended.
Just hours earlier, the blaze was estimated to have spread over 100 acres, prompting officials to ask residents of the area to flee.
Images and videos shared on social media show thick, dark plumes of smoke seeping into the sky as the fire burns
It is currently unclear what caused the fire and whether anyone was injured
In a post shared on social media, the Walker County Office of Emergency Management said, “Large fire on Lost Indian Camp Road at FM247.
FM247 is closed on both lanes from Pinedale to FM2989. Evacuation recommended everything within a three-mile radius of Lost Indian Camp Road. Air strike drops water.
ABC reported that authorities have now closed a six-and-a-half-mile stretch of the FM
It is currently unclear what caused the fire and whether anyone was injured.
According to a statement from Governor Greg Abbott, the state is currently experiencing triple-digit temperatures, with more than 98 percent of the state experiencing drought conditions.
Images and videos shared on social media show thick, dark plumes of smoke seeping into the sky as the fire burns.
Images from the air show how big the forest fire has become in such a short time.
The latest update from officials said the fire had spread to 500 acres and was left unattended
Camera images from above can even make it difficult to distinguish the flames because of the thick smoke below
ABC reported that authorities have now closed a six-and-a-half-mile stretch of the FM
The CCTV footage even struggles to make out the flames because of the thick smoke underneath.
The Walker County government’s website said it had already issued a ban on burning fires on July 31, which limits most ignitions outdoors.
The reported fire area is 83 miles outside of downtown Houston.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also announced that he had directed the Texas A&M Forest Service to open the Austin Airtanker base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to help with wildfire suppression.
Governor Abbott said in a statement, “Texas has activated the Austin Airtanker Base to further assist our brave firefighters and emergency response personnel across the state and protect Texans from these wildfires.
“Additional resources through this air tanker base will provide even greater support to state and local officials as they respond quickly.
“With triple-digit heat forecasted for this Labor Day weekend, I urge Texans to remain alert to the weather and limit any activity that could create sparks or flames that could lead to accidental fires.”
The base will serve as a reloading station for planes coming and going to the bushfires.