Texas: A wildfire that exploded in size in a matter of hours ripped through wide swaths of ranchland in rural Texas, burning structures at a youth camp while forcing evacuations and closing schools Tuesday.
The fire, which began early Monday afternoon, charred more than 200 square kilometres in less than a day across lightly populated areas in two counties in north central Texas. Fuelled by whipping winds along with extremely hot and dry conditions, the Ross Fire jumped creeks and rivers, residents said.
“It just took off way too fast,” said Katie Rochelle, whose fifth-generation family canoe rental business lost its office and repair shop outside Graford. “The wind was going in a tornado motion.”
Her husband, a local firefighter, helped save their home overnight, but she was worried it could go up in flames anytime.
It wasn't immediately known how many structures have burned. Multiple buildings were destroyed at Worth Ranch, a youth camp on the southern edge of the fire, when flames swept through Tuesday. No campers or guests were on the property and all personnel were safely evacuated, according to Scouting America's Longhorn Council, which owns the camp.
Dangerous fire conditions allowed the blaze to shoot up faster than anyone could have imagined, officials with Palo Pinto County's emergency services district reported.
“We've thrown everything at this, and we're still having minimal effect,” Fire Chief Danny Watkins said. There was just 8 per cent containment as of Tuesday evening.
Wildfires have been popping up across the South and the West of the US in recent days as extremely dry conditions persist. A dozen new large fires were reported on Sunday alone, the National Interagency Fire Center said.
Nationwide, there have been more than 50,000 wildfires so far this year, the most over the past 10 years covering the same time period, according to the centre.
The National Weather Service warned of a high risk of fast-moving fires in Southern California north of Los Angeles, and a red flag warning was issued through Friday.
The Hawk Fire has destroyed at least 47 homes across about 60 square kilometres. Authorities in Nevada said on Tuesday that the fire was 27 per cent contained.
The number of people in the Reno area under mandatory evacuation orders dropped significantly to about 5,000. The fire near the California state line began Saturday and rapidly grew in size on Sunday. At least seven people -- three first responders and four civilians -- were injured.
Fire officials in Reno have blamed human activity for the Hawk Fire, saying it was either intentionally set or accidental. Critical fire weather with hot temperatures and low humidity was expected through the weekend.
In Texas, the Ross Fire was only slightly contained as it churned through ranchland about 100 kilometres west of Fort Worth. At least five structures were destroyed, according to officials in Palo Pinto County.
Emergency officials expected the fire to keep growing as temperatures rise.
Authorities opened evacuation centres, some schools cancelled classes and ranchers and a livestock commission offered barns to temporarily hold animals in need of evacuation.
Firefighters in Nevada were making progress in slowing a fire that forced thousands to evacuate from Reno over the weekend after flames spread dangerously close to densely populated neighborhoods.
The Hawk Fire has destroyed at least 47 homes across about 60 square kilometres. Authorities in Nevada said on Tuesday that the fire was 27 per cent contained.
The number of people in the Reno area under mandatory evacuation orders dropped significantly to about 5,000. The fire near the California state line began Saturday and rapidly grew in size on Sunday. At least seven people -- three first responders and four civilians -- were injured.
Fire officials in Reno have blamed human activity for the Hawk Fire, saying it was either intentionally set or accidental. Critical fire weather with hot temperatures and low humidity was expected through the weekend.