WEST TEXAS – (WBAP/KLIF) – The Eastland Complex of four wildfires in West Texas continues to burn Saturday at mid day; estimated at approximately 50 thousand acres after Friday’s firefighting efforts were hampered by strong and gusty northwest winds. The weather caused intermittent grounding of firefighting planes.
Damage assessments are underway Saturday with at least 50 homes believed burned. Texas Governor Gregg Abbott declared a disaster declaration for 11 West Texas counties; Brooks, Brown, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Grayson, Mason, Potter, Randall, Reynolds and Williamson. The declaration allows the use of all available Texas state resources to help fight the fires.
Aviation crews late Friday included 3 fire boss single engine tankers 3 large air tankers, 2 helicopter and a Chinook.
Eastland County Deputy Barbara Fenley died Thursday trying to save people from the fires.
A total of ten active wildfires continue to burn across Texas; blowing smoke from Dallas through Houston.
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