As high winds blow through the South this weekend, thousands of acres of wildfires are raging in Texas.
An outbreak of wildfires began in Texas on Friday as winds exceeded 30 miles per hour and dry land provided the ideal fuel. As of 6:30 p.m. CST on Saturday, 10 wildfires remained uncontained throughout north, east, central and south Texas, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer.
Two of the most notable wildfires are the Crabapple Fire and the Windmill Fire.
The Crabapple Fire, the wildfire near Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, has burned 8,640 acres and is 0% contained, as of 6:30 p.m. CST on Saturday, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer.
The fire with the largest footprint is the Windmill Fire in Roberts County, which is about 83 miles northeast of Amarillo, Texas. The fire had raged through more than 23,000 acres and was 65% contained, as of 6:30 p.m. CST on Saturday, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer.
In an effort to contain the Windmill Fire, a Texas A&M Forest Service Large Airtanker dropped bright red retardant over Roberts County on Saturday afternoon.
As officials continue to work through the night, here’s what to know about the other Texas wildfires.
USA TODAY wildfire, smoke map: Track latest wildfires, red flag warnings across the US
Nine more fires burn through Texas
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer, as of 6: 30 p.m. CST on Saturday, the wildfires in Texas were:
- Rest Area Fire in Gray County: Burned 7,931 acres and 50% contained
- Cottonwood Creek Fire in San Saba County: Burned 633.2 acres and 95% contained
- Lake Pasture Fire in Refugio County: Burned 300 acres and 50% contained
- Duval Fire in Duval County: Burned 57.4 acres and 50% contained
- Real Fire in Real County: Burned 40 acres and 0% contained
- Saddle Fire in Bandera County: Burned 17 acres and 95% contained
- Upshur Fire in Upshur County: Burned 15 acres and 60% contained
- Hargill Reservoir Fire in Hidalgo County: Burned 13 acres and 95% contained
Burn bans issued in 130 counties
On Saturday afternoon, outdoor burn bans were issued in 130 Texas counties, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Burn bans, which prohibit outdoor burning due to warm and dry weather conditions, are issued by county judges and commissioners courts.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
