Wildfires in West explode in size amid hot, windy conditions

Wildfires in West explode in size amid hot, windy conditions

By JULIE WATSON and REBECCA BOONE, Associated Press SAN DIEGO — Wildfires in California and Montana exploded in size overnight amid windy, hot conditions and were quickly encroaching on neighborhoods, forcing evacuation orders for over 100 homes Saturday, while an Idaho blaze was spreading. In California’s Klamath National Forest, the fast-moving McKinney fire, which started Friday, went from charring just over 1 square mile (1 square kilometer) to scorching as much as 62 square miles…

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FORECAST: Scattered downpours overnight, minor flooding possible

FORECAST: Scattered downpours overnight, minor flooding possible

Scattered showers and storms tonight. More storms on Sunday afternoon, possibly severe. Author: WCNC Staff, Brad Panovich, Chris Mulcahy, Brittany Van Voorhees (WCNC), KJ Jacobs, Larry Sprinkle Published: 12:41 PM EST March 6, 2019 Updated: 9:51 PM EDT July 30, 2022 CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tonight: Flood Advisory in effect tonight for several parts of the area. Seek higher ground if you live near a small stream prone to flooding during a heavy rain storm. Excessive…

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FORECAST: Scattered downpours tonight, minor flooding possible

FORECAST: Scattered downpours tonight, minor flooding possible

Scattered showers and storms tonight. More storms on Sunday afternoon, possibly severe. Author: WCNC Staff, Brad Panovich, Chris Mulcahy, Brittany Van Voorhees (WCNC), KJ Jacobs, Larry Sprinkle Published: 12:41 PM EST March 6, 2019 Updated: 9:51 PM EDT July 30, 2022 CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tonight: Flood Advisory in effect tonight for several parts of the area. Seek higher ground if you live near a small stream prone to flooding during a heavy rain storm. Excessive…

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EXPLAINER: One weather system floods St. Louis and Kentucky

EXPLAINER: One weather system floods St. Louis and Kentucky

Hundreds of miles apart, but still connected by the same stubborn weather system, urban St. Louis and rural Appalachia are showing how devastating flash flooding can be when souped-up storms dump massive amounts of rain with no place to go. In St. Louis, the paved city environment couldn’t soak up the intense rainfall. In Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, steep hills and terrain of narrow river channels funneled water into the same place. Although a…

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Tarrant County issues disaster declaration due to wildfire risk

Tarrant County issues disaster declaration due to wildfire risk

TARRANT COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) — Due to a serious risk of wildfires, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley signed an emergency disaster declaration on Friday. The declaration states that due to severe drought conditions along with hot and dry weather, the area is at risk of large and quickly-spreading wildfires that could potentially endanger lives and damage property. Wildfires have ravaged large swaths of North Texas over the past month, destroying several homes and damaging many structures….

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Entire communities wiped out by massive Appalachian floods

Entire communities wiped out by massive Appalachian floods

Because of poor cell service and the rural nature of the area, it’s difficult to know how many people are still unaccounted for. JACKSON, Ky. — Search and rescue teams backed by the National Guard searched Friday for people missing in record floods that wiped out entire communities in some of the poorest places in America. Kentucky’s governor said 16 people have died, a toll he expected to grow as the rain keeps falling. “We’ve still…

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Today on Texas Standard: How wildfires are affecting livestock

Today on Texas Standard: How wildfires are affecting livestock

Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Friday, July 29, 2022. Listen on your Texas public radio station, or ask your smart speaker to play Texas Standard. Check back later today for updated story links and audio. Understanding prisoner exchange talks between U.S., Russia Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said earlier this week that the United States and Russia had discussed a prisoner exchange that would bring Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan back…

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At least 15 dead in Eastern Kentucky flooding, Gov. Any Beshear says

At least 15 dead in Eastern Kentucky flooding, Gov. Any Beshear says

KENTUCKY — At least 15 people are dead following flooding in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear told CNN. That number is expected to double, he said, and will include children. Swollen floodwaters washed out bridges, wiped out power and sent some residents scrambling to their rooftops as water gushed into their homes. Some families’ houses and cars were submerged or swept away completely by the flooding, which has been exacerbated by creeks and grounds already soaked…

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Woman floats dog in container while swimming to rooftop to escape recent Kentucky flooding

Woman floats dog in container while swimming to rooftop to escape recent Kentucky flooding

July 29, 2022 (Photo: Terry Adams Sr.) WHITESBURG, KY (WWAY) — An amazing story has come out of a disastrous situation in Kentucky. Record flooding caused by massive amounts of rainfall in a short period of time has destroyed numerous homes and led to the deaths of at least 8 people across the state. But for one woman and her dog, a more positive outcome unfolded late Thursday in Whitesburg, near the Kentucky and Virginia…

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Senate approves “Ike Dike” plan to protect Houston from hurricanes

Senate approves “Ike Dike” plan to protect Houston from hurricanes

Huge gates in the Houston Ship Channel would block the storm surge from causing flooding upstream The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved the plan for a $31-billion-dollar project to build a coastal barrier known as the “Ike Dike.” The barrier would provide protection from hurricane storm surges for the Houston area with the construction of gates in Galveston Bay that could be closed to protect industrial facilities that line the Houston Ship Channel, as well…

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Chemical exposure for Houston residents increased directly after Hurricane Harvey, study shows

Chemical exposure for Houston residents increased directly after Hurricane Harvey, study shows

After Hurricane Harvey drenched the Texas coast in 2017, rising water wasn’t the only danger to folks in the path of the storm. With the Houston area a hub for industries like petroleum refining and chemical manufacturing, the hurricane also increased the risk of exposure to toxic materials. Now, the results of a unique study are helping researchers better understand the extent to which the storm exposed people to chemicals. Kim Anderson, head of the environmental…

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Coastal Bend businesses, officials protest potential Texas Windstorm Insurance rate hike

Coastal Bend businesses, officials protest potential Texas Windstorm Insurance rate hike

The United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, state Rep. Todd Hunter and other Coastal Bend officials are urging the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association not to increase rates at its upcoming board meeting. On Tuesday, nine Texas Windstorm Insurance Association board members will meet in Galveston to decide whether to increase insurance rates. “If you own a home, you have to buy three policies here,” said Hunter, a Republican from Corpus Christi. “You have to buy…

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Round Rock fund raises $435K for those impacted by March tornado

Round Rock fund raises $435K for those impacted by March tornado

The fund collected $346,000 in the first 11 days. ROUND ROCK, Texas — A local fund raised $435,000 for those impacted by a tornado in Round Rock this past March, according to a report from KVUE’s media partners at the Austin American-Statesman. The Greater Round Rock Community Foundation manages the Round Rock Cares fund, established in 2020. The fund began tornado-focused fundraising on March 25, four days after the natural disaster that caused around $33 million…

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Today on Texas Standard: Measuring chemical exposure after Hurricane Harvey

After Hurricane Harvey drenched the Texas coast in 2017, rising water wasn’t the only danger to folks in the path of the storm. As a hub for industries like petroleum refining and chemical manufacturing, Harvey also increased the risk of pollution by toxic materials. Now, the results of a new study are helping scientists better understand the extent to which Harvey exposed people to hazardous chemicals. By Texas StandardJuly 28, 2022 9:50 amTexas Standard Original, Whole…

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Heavy rain in eastern Kentucky leads to dangerous flash flooding

Heavy rain in eastern Kentucky leads to dangerous flash flooding

By Chris Boyette and Robert Shackelford, CNN Breathitt County, Ky. — (CNN) — Heavy rainfall inundated eastern Kentucky overnight, prompting a flash flood emergency and making local roads impassable, officials said. The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for parts of Breathitt, Knott, Owsley and Perry counties until 7:45 a.m. Thursday. “This is a particularly dangerous situation. Seek higher ground now!” the weather service warned. Up to 6 inches of rain fell in…

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Texas wildfire that's destroyed 16 homes further contained

Texas wildfire that's destroyed 16 homes further contained

July 27, 2022Updated: July 27, 2022 7:50 p.m. GLEN ROSE, Texas (AP) — A wildfire that has blackened 10 1/2 square miles (27 square kilometers) of North Texas, destroying 16 homes, reached 40% containment Wednesday, double what it had been the day before, officials said. The multi-agency firefighting team fighting the Chalk Mountain Fire 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Fort Worth said it had completed a fire line around the fire Wednesday. However, the lines…

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Cooking up support for Balch Springs wildfire survivors

Cooking up support for Balch Springs wildfire survivors

(BALCH SPRINGS, Texas) — The clean-up continues in Balch Springs after a grass fire destroyed several homes in a neighborhood. The damage has inspired one person to ask what he can do and ended up bring others along to support the families who don’t have much left. The owners of Fire For the Lord BBQ, called everyone from families to first responders and anyone else in the community to come out for a free meal….

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Wildfires have been happening in Central Texas. Here's how to prepare.

Wildfires have been happening in Central Texas. Here's how to prepare.

It’s hot and dry in Central Texas right now, which means there’s a high chance a wildfire could easily spark. But by following a few tips, you can be prepared for the worst-case scenario if you have to evacuate your home, as nearly 200 homes in Williamson County did last weekend. Make an evacuation plan Walter Flocke with Texas A&M Forest Service said it’s critical to have an emergency evacuation plan for yourself and your…

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Love the Carolina Hurricanes? This job might be for you

Love the Carolina Hurricanes? This job might be for you

Raleigh, N.C. — The Canes Crew, the energetic team that cheers on the Carolina Hurricanes every year, is holding auditions on Wednesday, Aug. 3. This co-ed team can be found at all home games entertaining the crowd with flags, signs and chants. They also appear at watch parties, team events and other community events. Think you have what it takes to join the team? The first night of auditions is Aug. 3 at 6 p.m….

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Grass fires burn more homes in drought-ravaged North Texas

Grass fires burn more homes in drought-ravaged North Texas

A grass fire spread to at least nine homes in a rural North Texas subdivision Tuesday, marking the second such damaging grass fire spread in the drought-ravaged region in as many days. The fire in the rural Rendon community, 11 miles (17 kilometers) southeast of Fort Worth, came one day after a grass fire spread into a subdivision in Balch Springs, a Dallas suburb. The Rendon fire was reported about 7 p.m. Tuesday when a…

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26 homes damaged after grass fire that quickly spread to Balch Springs neighborhood

26 homes damaged after grass fire that quickly spread to Balch Springs neighborhood

BALCH SPRINGS, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – The Balch Springs Fire Department has released more information about the grass fire that caught several homes on fire Monday afternoon. The grass fire was first reported to officials at 3:17 p.m. Monday. When fire officials responded, there were three acres on fire and winds were gusting between 15 and 20 MPH, causing the fire to spread quickly. Balch Springs Fire Marshal Sean Davis said they believe a lawn crew…

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New book ‘More City Than Water’ maps out the different tolls flooding takes on communities in Houston

New book ‘More City Than Water’ maps out the different tolls flooding takes on communities in Houston

Though this year’s hurricane season has been relatively calm so far, millions of Texans understand the sudden massive destruction those strong storms can bring. Flooding has long been a devastating result of hurricanes for cities along the Gulf Coast. And in the new book “More City Than Water: A Houston Flood Atlas,” editors Lacy Johnson and Cheryl Beckett tell the story of what it really means when catastrophic flooding affects people in different ways in…

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US to plant 1 billion trees as destructive wildfires kill forests

US to plant 1 billion trees as destructive wildfires kill forests

As the globe heats up, destructive fires that burn too hot for forests to quickly regrow naturally have far outpaced the government’s replanting capacity. BILLINGS, Mont. — The Biden administration on Monday said the government will plant more than one billion trees across millions of acres of burned and dead woodlands in the U.S. West, as officials struggle to counter the increasing toll on the nation’s forests from wildfires, insects and other manifestations of climate change….

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Expanded crews reinforce fight against North Texas wildfire

Expanded crews reinforce fight against North Texas wildfire

July 25, 2022Updated: July 25, 2022 4:34 p.m. GLEN ROSE, Texas (AP) — Firefighting teams have thrown dozens of extra crew members into the fight over the weekend against a North Texas wildfire that has destroyed 16 homes and damaged five others, officials said Monday. The crews have held the Chalk Mountain Fire effects in check at 10 1/2 square miles (27 1/4 square kilometers) since last week, according to the Southern Area Blue, Type-I Incident…

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Governor Cooper issues executive order to improve resilience of state buildings against flooding

Governor Cooper issues executive order to improve resilience of state buildings against flooding

July 25, 2022 Flooding (Photo: Pixabay) RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Governor Roy Cooper has issued Executive Order No. 266 to improve the resilience of state buildings against flooding. The Order directs the North Carolina Department of Administration (NC DOA) to work with stakeholders to update the state’s Uniform Floodplain Management Policy. “Using foresight and data to protect public buildings and other structures from flood damage is smart and responsible,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “Climate change is causing more…

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Alaska experiencing wildfires it's never seen before

Alaska experiencing wildfires it's never seen before

By MARK THIESSEN, Associated Press ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska is burning this year in ways rarely or ever seen, from the largest wildfire in a typically mainly fireproof southwest region to a pair of blazes that ripped through forests and produced smoke that blew hundreds of miles to the the Bering Sea community of Nome, where the normally crystal clear air was pushed into the extremely unhealthy category. Already more than 530 wildfires have burned…

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Wildfire in Liberty Hill now 75% contained, officials say

Wildfire in Liberty Hill now 75% contained, officials say

Residents within a two-mile radius were asked to evacuate Saturday afternoon and were allowed to return in the evening. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management said Saturday evening that all evacuees asked to leave their homes due to the wildfire are now allowed to return. Williamson County authorities first reported a 100-acre fire in Liberty Hill early Saturday afternoon. That fire has since burned through 500 acres and was 75%…

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Authorities responding to wildfire on Tower Road in Liberty Hill

Authorities responding to wildfire on Tower Road in Liberty Hill

Residents within a two-mile radius were asked to evacuate Saturday afternoon and were allowed to return in the evening. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management said Saturday evening that all evacuees asked to leave their homes due to the wildfire are now allowed to return. Williamson County authorities first reported a 100-acre fire in Liberty Hill early Saturday afternoon. That fire has since burned through 500 acres and was 25%…

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Intense heatwave triggers wildfires, travel disruptions in Europe

Intense heatwave triggers wildfires, travel disruptions in Europe

By Daniel Victor, Isabella Kwai, Euan Ward and Aurelien Breeden, New York Times Most of Europe slid back into more typical summer temperatures Wednesday morning, but the aftermath continued from the record-setting heat wave that threatened lives, destroyed buildings and upended daily routines for much of the continent this week. Here’s what we are still watching. Fires are still raging in southern Europe. Summer wildfires are a recurring feature in parts of Europe, but the…

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Crews clear fire lines as North Texas wildfires slow advance

Crews clear fire lines as North Texas wildfires slow advance

GLEN ROSE, Texas (AP) — Fire crews worked to extend and strengthen fire lines Friday as diminished winds and higher humidity slowed the advance of North Texas wildfires, officials said. The biggest blaze, the Chalk Mountain Fire, did not spread significantly after it blackened 10 1/2 square miles (27 square kilometers) of land, the Southern Area Blue, Type I Incident Management Team said in a statement. Although it was only 10% contained, crews were making…

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WRAL Investigates: Hundreds of millions in hurricane recovery money still unspent

WRAL Investigates: Hundreds of millions in hurricane recovery money still unspent

By Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter Goldsboro, N.C. — This week, North Carolina House leaders formed a committee to investigate problems in getting assistance to hurricane victims dating back as far as six years. WRAL Investigates has been following the money and the delays through the nightmare of a Goldsboro woman who’s still waiting. After Hurricane Matthew swallowed her Goldsboro home in 2016, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) paid Staris Morgan some rental assistance and…

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Crews make progress against destructive Texas wildfires

Crews make progress against destructive Texas wildfires

Firefighting crews have progressed in their battle against two destructive North Texas wildfires, officials said Thursday. Firefighters have expanded their containment from 15% to 45% Thursday of the 500-acre (200-kilometer) fire that destroyed five homes on Possum Kingdom Lake’s western shore, the Texas A&M Forest Service said. “Crews are definitely getting a handle on this one!” Forest Service spokesman Adam Turner said in an email to The Associated Press. “There is a lot of mopping…

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In an Urgent New Book, “Floodies” Reinvent the Story of Hurricane Harvey

In an Urgent New Book, “Floodies” Reinvent the Story of Hurricane Harvey

The first lesson you learn when you try to explain an act of God is you almost never capture the full story. As I’ve found in my own environment writings and research, hurricanes, wildfires, tornados, and other climate cataclysms destroy us in vast swaths, and the impact is too varied and incalculable for any one writer to convey on their own. And when the almighty strikes Texas, as in the case of 2017’s Hurricane Harvey…

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Firefighters battle at least ten active wildfires in North Texas as more break out across the state

Firefighters battle at least ten active wildfires in North Texas as more break out across the state

More than a dozen homes near Glen Rose, Texas, about 50 miles Southwest of Fort Worth were destroyed by the fast-moving Chalk Mountain fire which has scorched 10 square miles of North Texas. And it’s far from the only fire threatening North Texas. Reports say embers of burning tree crowns were flying up to 200 yards away. As of Thursday morning that fire is just 10% contained.  Five homes are reported destroyed along the western…

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With hurricane season among us, Pender County provides tips on staying prepared

With hurricane season among us, Pender County provides tips on staying prepared

July 21, 2022 Flooding after Hurricane Florence in Pender County (Photo: WWAY) PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Nearly two months into hurricane season, Pender County is continuing to provide hurricane preparedness information for citizens in our county. Pender County Emergency Management states their commitment to promoting personal and community preparedness techniques to ensure all citizens understand their flood risk, work to mitigate their flood risk and stay informed regarding hurricanes and flood events. In the…

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Vigil held in Somervell County for wildfire victims

Vigil held in Somervell County for wildfire victims

SOMERVELL COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) – Residents just southwest of DFW are praying that spiritual power will prevent devastating wildfires from doing more damage in Somerville County.  CBS 11 News had the only camera inside the evacuation center where a prayer vigil took place Wednesday night.  There were tears here tonight for those who lost everything and passionate prayers for divine intervention to stop fires that are still raging and threatening homes.  “Lord we don’t understand loss…

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Constant wildfires and extreme heat taking a toll on first responders in Texas

Constant wildfires and extreme heat taking a toll on first responders in Texas

NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) — Fighting near constant fires in these triple digit temperatures is taking a physical and mental toll on first responders in Texas. “So far this week, we have crews out in the Wichita Falls area, out at Possum Kingdom Lake, and we also had crews yesterday out in Bridgeport,” said Deputy Chief Brandon Barth with the Flower Mound Fire Department. The Flower Mound Fire Department sends strike teams out 14 days at a…

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At least 21 homes destroyed by Texas wildfires

At least 21 homes destroyed by Texas wildfires

By TERRY WALLACE, Associated Press A two-day-old wildfire remained on the move Wednesday, with embers from burning tree crowns flying up to 200 yards, officials said. The Chalk Mountain Fire near Glen Rose, Texas, had burned almost 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) of mostly short grass, brush and juniper as of midday Wednesday, the Texas A&M Forest Service reported. Sixteen homes were destroyed and five others were damaged, said spokeswoman Alexandra Schwier. Temperatures approaching…

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Extreme heat, drought fueling dangerous wildfires across Texas

Extreme heat, drought fueling dangerous wildfires across Texas

Texas A&M Forest Service says firefighters are currently battling 15 fires all over the state. No injuries have been reported but several homes have been destroyed. HOUSTON — Extreme heat and drought conditions are making for a very dangerous situation across the state of Texas.  Firefighters are battling 15 active wildfires as of Wednesday afternoon. Two in North Texas have already destroyed several homes.  “Everybody would love some rain right now,” said Erin O’Connor with…

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New wildfires in Greece as Europe braces for more heat

New wildfires in Greece as Europe braces for more heat

By DEREK GATOPOULOS and BARBARA SURK ATHENS, Greece — Battered by heavy winds, firefighters in Greece struggled to contain new fires Wednesday around the capital of Athens while other countries in southern Europe took stock of the damage caused during the latest severe heat wave and prepared for the return of scorching temperatures. Two new fires broke out west of Athens following a round-the-clock effort to halt a blaze in the outskirts of the city…

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Everything we know about the wildfires burning across Texas

Everything we know about the wildfires burning across Texas

Critical fire danger and widespread drought conditions have resulted in multiple wildfires continuing to burn across Texas this week, according to officials. Here’s what we know so far about the wildfires in Texas as of Wednesday, July 20. According to Texas A&M Forest Service, the areas of concern include the eastern Rolling Plains, Cross Timbers, Central Texas, North Texas near the Waco and Dallas-Fort Worth areas, and south along the I-35 corridor near the Capital…

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Evacuation order lifted as Texas wildfires burn amid heat

Evacuation order lifted as Texas wildfires burn amid heat

TERRY WALLACE and KEN MILLER, Associated Press July 20, 2022Updated: July 20, 2022 8:03 a.m. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 1of5In this image taken from video, a structure burns during a wildfire in Palo Pinto County, Texas on Monday, July 18, 2022. A wildfire has burned at least five homes and resulted in about 300 homes being evacuated around a lake in north Texas amid sweltering temperatures and dry conditions, authorities…

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