(Image source: Austin American-Statesman)
BY TRACY PFEIFFER
ANCHOR LAUREN GORES
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More than 5,000 people have been ordered to flee their homes as fires rage across central and eastern Texas.
“They’ve been propelled partly by the high winds caused by Tropical Storm Lee, and they’re burning thousands of acres. In Bastrop, nearly half of the Bastrop State Park has burned, and hundreds of home have as well. In northwestern Travis County, a fire in Steiner ranch has destroyed at least 20 homes and damaged at least 20 others. 30 units continue to battle that fire, but it’s only 5-10 percent contained.”
The latest round of flames has reportedly destroyed more than 400 homes.
CNN reports-- it’s said to be the worst fire season in Texas history.
“A record 3.5 million acres -- an area roughly the size of Connecticut ... have burned since the start of the season in November as hot and dry weather, coupled with a historic drought, made conditions ripe for rapid fire growth.”
The crisis has pulled governor Rick Perry off the presidential campaign trail in South Carolina. Austin’s KXAN reports.
JARROD WISE, KXAN: “Calling it ‘a surreal experience’ as he toured the devastation in the Circle D neighborhood, an entire neighborhood that’s virtually destroyed. Now Perry also visited the shelters where some of these people lost their homes and no doubt need the help. Now the governor says they will get it. Assistance from Fort Hood is on the way to help battle this fire that they’ve had to fight primarily from the air. But a disaster declaration will also be requested to help the families.”
And the director of the Texas Forest Service tells CBS-- one of the biggest concerns right now is firefighter fatigue.
Thousands of people from across the country have arrived in the state to pitch in...
But when considering the big picture, Texas might have to wait in line for more help.
TOM BOGGUS, TEXAS FOREST SERVICE: "We're not the only crisis going on. The tropical storm still causes issues. Irene causes issues in the northeast, and California and Arizona are having fires. So we know we're not the only game in town, but we're going to continue to request resources and we're going to use what we have wisely."
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