Drought conditions across much of the state fuel Central Texas wildfires

A fire in Ranger, Texas, has destroyed buildings in the city’s historic downtown, including the police department and a 100-year-old church. A wildfire in Abilene has prompted evacuations of homes and properties. Smoke has reached as far as Houston.

Texas A&M Forest Service spokesperson Erin O’Connor says the Abilene fire has been dubbed the Eastland Complex. It consists of four fires that are being managed as a single blaze by firefighters.

“That includes the Kidd Fire in Eastland County, which is approximately 30,000 acres, and the Oakmont Fire in Brown County, which is approximately 4,500  acres, the Wheat Field fire in Eastland County, which is approximately 5,000 acres, and the Walling Fire in Eastland County, which is 383 acres,” O’Connor said.

The Eastland Comples is 2% contained, and has caused evacuations and road closures in several communities. No information about injuries or fatalities is available.

“It’s a quickly evolving situation. So we’re still trying to get some get some eyes on the on the fire this morning and get a good assessment of what happened overnight,” O’Connor said.

Firefighters are working with local fire departments, state agencies and military resources. O’Connor says aircraft will fly over the fire areas on Friday, wind conditions permitting.

“Our fire crews last night into this morning were focused on life safety, structure protection and then also trying to construct containment lines where possible,” O’Connor said.

You can find updated fire danger information here.

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