Raging wildfires sweep across Texas Panhandle

Raging wildfires swept across the Texas Panhandle early Wednesday morning, as state and local firefighters worked to respond to the fires that officials say could grow in the coming days.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a disaster declaration Tuesday for 60 counties, activating emergency response resources to help fight the fires across the Lone Star State.

The Texas A&M Forest Service said dry conditions, high temperatures and increased wind speed created a higher risk in certain areas for the wildfires to spread. The service also said strong winds forecasted for the remainder of this week “will likely impact these wildfires, causing them to grow larger.”

“Hot and dry conditions caused by high temperatures and windy conditions are expected to continue in the region in the coming days,” Abbott said, announcing the disaster declaration. “These conditions could increase the potential for these wildfires to grow larger and more dangerous.”

“Texans are urged to limit activities that could create sparks and take precautions to keep their loved ones safe,” he continued. “I also want to thank the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect their fellow Texans.”

Multiple fires were reported across the state. The largest, named Smokehouse Creek Fire, was in Hutchinson County and appeared to double in size overnight.

By Wednesday morning, the Smokehouse Creek Fire grew to 500,000 acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service website, and was 0 percent contained. The service, a few hours earlier, had said the fire was estimated to be about 300,000 acres.

The latest wildfires come after a study, released in December, found that the frequency and ferocity of wildfires across the U.S. — especially in the West — have negated the improvements in air quality achieved over the past two decades.