Why did the Texas Panhandle fires grow so fast?

By ISABELLA O’MALLEY
Associated Press

Wildfires raging in the Texas Panhandle have been growing at a staggering rate, resulting in widespread evacuations. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties late Tuesday. The blaze grew to 1,300 square miles on Wednesday, rivaling the largest in state history. The fast-moving fires are rare, but not unprecedented. The National Weather Service says very dry and windy conditions set the scene for the fires early in the week. Light rain forecast for Thursday could help firefighters’ efforts, but winds are expected to pick up again as the weekend approaches.