Wildfires decimated 86 homes and a most part of the small town of Carbon in Texas. The four fires in the west of Dallas burned 22,000 hectares and killed a sheriff’s deputy who was helping people move out of the area for safety.
According to Angel Lopez Portillo, the spokesman for the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), said that the wildfires in the small town of Carbon in Texas decimated 86 homes and most of the town.
The four fires designated as the Eastland Complex fire, namely, the Kidd, Wheat Field, Oak Mott and Walling, burned down around 54,000 acres and killed Sgt. Barbara Finley, who was the sheriff’s deputy and was helping people evacuate, he added.
Sergeant Barbara Finley’s vehicle ran off road because of the low visibility owing to the deteriorating conditions from smoke, and was engulfed in fire when she was on her way to check on an elderly person nearby as part of her official duties.
On Friday, Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster in eleven Texas counties and ordered flags to be lowered to half staff in Eastland County to honor the sheriff’s deputy Barbara Fenley, his office announced.
The Eastland Complex fire, raged since Thursday and around 30 percent was brought under control, the Texas A&M Fire Service said on Saturday. About 85 percent of the Carbon town, with a population of 225, was reduced to piles of rubble.
An Eastland Fire Department dispatcher could not confirm the damage toll, citing questions to the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Wildfires were fueled by low humidity and gusty winds, and consumed most of the town within three hours, said a report.
Winds fueling the fires toned down on Friday and Saturday which allowed for the aerial support, but was expected to increase again on Sunday with gusts of 28mph.
Thankfully, rain has been forecasted for Monday; however, Texas A&M Forest Services has warned that fires might also affect parts of Oklahoma and Kansas. Nebraska has also been warned of an extreme fire risk.
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