Four people have been killed in a series of wildfires that have been occurring in Texas. Over 1,000 homes have been destroyed by the wildfires, leaving thousand homeless. Texas is currently experiencing its worst dry spell since the 1950’s.

The largest blaze occurred in Bastrop County and has been blazing for over three days and has already engulfed 600 homes. The Texas Forest Service agency confirmed the blaze was still not under control yesterday. It was the most destructive fire of the year. The Bastrop County fire has been hitting speeds of up to 60mph.

The fires have already covered over 100,000 acres and are still burning strong. The Texas Forest Service said they has managed to respond to 181 of the fires. Officials in Harris County has confirmed the Magnolia fire is no longer a threat. Many residents were allowed return to their homes on Tuesday in neighboring Montgomery County.

Texas firefighting crews are working overtime to refill lakes and rivers affected by the long drought. There are more than 2,000 firefighters working on trying to control the blaze with over 250 firefighters on the ground in Bastrop alone.

A Red Cross spokeswoman declared roughly 500 people slept overnight on cots on both Sunday and Monday in five American Red Cross shelters in Bastrop, Travis and Williamson Counties. Residents all over Texas have been telling their tragic stories to the press. While some find it hard to deal with the aftermath of the blazes, others are optimistic.

70-year-old Chapman had his 1966 Pontiac GTO, a ’57 Chevrolet pickup and a 1947 Studebaker pickup completely destroyed by the fire, and yet he told the Associated Press, “You can either laugh or you can cry.

You might as well laugh. The house is safe, my wife and I are alive and good, and I’m not going to worry about it.” Texas officials are seeking additional volunteering from across the country to help with getting the wildfires under control.

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About the author

Dervla OBrien
I currently reside in New York City after a lot of moving and travelling across the world. My main journalism interests are current affairs, crime, news and film. I have a passion for travelling and experiencing different cultures.