Wildfires continue to plague the Lone Star State.
The latest reports show eleven active fires are currently burning, and so far, approximately 164,527 acres have been affected by wildfires in March. State officials released information about the wildfires that cited solid winds and humid conditions as triggers for 726 wildfires across the state.
Castroville, Texas, is currently under a wildfire warning; over 1,000 acres have burned, forcing forty home evacuations. The fire remained 10% contained on Sunday afternoon.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for the area and explained the fire had the potential to spread in the coming days. Firefighters from thirty-four states have arrived in Texas to battle the 30-40 foot flames. Two hundred firefighters have been deployed to Medina County to battle the blaze and contain it.
By Tuesday afternoon, Governor Greg Abbott shifted the focus to the western half of Texas.
Ten counties in the region have been placed on high alert, with state officials reporting conditions had reached critical fire weather status. Conditions reminiscent of those that fueled the Santa Ana wildfires in California have allowed the wildfires to spread over the past few weeks.
Within the region, a massive fire in Crittenberg County neared U.S. military base Fort Hood on March 29. The fire allegedly began during army personnel’s training exercises at Fort Hood. Live munitions had reportedly caused one fire, which then joined with two others to form the Crittenberg Complex fire.
The blaze was 70% contained by Tuesday’s end, following the building of fire breaks around its perimeter.
U.S. Army garrison commander Colonel Chad Foster explained small munitions rarely cause wildfires; however, extreme drought conditions in Texas made it possible for small firearms to set off a spark that ignited the dry area.
The Texas A&M Forest Service warned Texans not to participate in outdoor activities that could result in wildfires over the coming days.
