Texas battles second-biggest wildfire disaster in state history, 1 dead

A rapidly spreading Texas wildfire has killed one person, forced residents to evacuate, cut off power to homes and businesses, and briefly paused operations at a nuclear weapons facility, Report informs referring to the BBC.

The second-largest fire in Texas history, it has burned 850,000 acres of land north of the city of Amarillo.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties.

Dry grass, high temperatures and strong winds have fuelled the conflagration.

In Hutchinson County, one of the hardest-hit areas, public engagement coordinator Deidra Thomas told CNN one person had died in the blazes, although she did not name the victim.

The Texas A&M Forest Service said that the winds had diminished slightly, helping to moderate the fire's spread. It remained 3% contained as of Wednesday afternoon, however.

Rain was expected in the state's northern panhandle on Thursday, which may aid efforts to extinguish the blaze.

Latest news

Flag Square inaugurated in Shusha 19 September, 2024 / 16:58