Texas Wildfire Explodes to 50,000 Acres, Evacuations Ordered

Wildfires have been breaking out across the South and the western United States as extremely dry conditions persist. The National Interagency Fire Center reported a dozen new large fires on Sunday alone, and said there have been more than 50,000 wildfires nationwide so far this year — the most over the past 10 years for the same period.

In Nevada, crews were making progress on the Hawk Fire, which began Saturday in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Reno and burned about 23 square miles. It has destroyed more than 30 homes and injured at least seven people — three first responders and four civilians. The fire was 27% contained Monday, and the number of people under evacuation orders and warnings has been falling. Fire officials in Reno say the blaze was human-caused, either set intentionally or by accident.

In Washington state, officials said 15 large uncontained fires have consumed 800,000 acres. The Sinlahekin Fire in Okanogan County, started by a lightning strike July 26, had burned more than 155,000 acres and was 55% contained Tuesday; the Little Giant Fire in Chelan County, sparked by lightning July 15, had burned more than 142,000 acres and was 15% contained. Both are in remote areas and not threatening homes, officials said.

Earlier this month, a series of fires in Spokane caused $1 billion in damage and destroyed more than 800 homes, the Spokane County Assessor announced last week. A 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with starting the Old Trails Fire on Aug. 1, one of three blazes that became known as the Spokane Complex Fire.