Texas Fights Huge Wildfires

Firefighters in Texas are fighting blazes which have burned 1.4 million acres and destroyed 170 homes over the past two weeks. A second firefighter died today from injuries sustained fighting the blaze. Emergency workers were forced to respond to 10 new fires over 2,000 acres on Tuesday alone. The Texas Forest Service has responded to more than 800 fires that have damaged roughly 5,000 structures since January 1. Dry weather and high winds have been spreading the violent fires, but rainstorms are expected this weekend. However, storms are a double-edged sword: while rain is needed, lightning could ignite more blazes. Fires have burned in 252 of Texas’ 254 counties since December 21.