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The forest service said 797 fires have burned 1.44 million acres of land and destroyed 285 buildings.
Palo Pinto evacuated
Palo Pinto, Texas—
For the past few days the massive wildfire had been moving northward, but a shift in the winds created a huge cloud of smoke.
Moments later, the city of Palo Pinto was evacuated.
Game wardens were sent door to door warning residents it was in their best interest to leave.
"We're not forcing anybody out and if they don't want to leave we're getting their name and contact info so we can get back to them", said Game Warden Steven Cantu.
Joe Lee and his wife left taking with them a 5th wheel. They parked a few miles away on the side of Highway 180 not knowing exactly what to do. They could only watch as the cloud of smoke moved in their direction.
"If they don't let us back in, there are several trailer parks in mineral wells. But if they do we'll go back", Lee said.
Part of the street downtown was blocked off and inmates were evacuated from the county jail. A few remained to hose down the roof.
The fires burning now are a combination of four fires that have all merged creating what is being called the PK Complex fire. It has scorched nearly 150,000 thousand acres taking with it dozens of homes. It's only about a quarter contained.
"We're looking at challenging conditions for the immediate future for sure, and when you throw these winds in and these warm temperatures, and that makes it very difficult to fight fires" said public information officer David Boyd.
This is the same fire burning around Possum Kingdom Lake. We're now learning dozens of homes on the lake have burned to the ground.
"It was amazing devastation. It completely burned forest, houses that were burned. It was just horrible for the whole community. It's going to take some time to recover from this", said state trooper Lonny Haschel.
The area has been under an evacuation order since Sunday.
And even a roadside in Palo Pinto is proving to be unsafe as well. Deputies had to order onlookers and residents including the Lees to leave
Palo Pinto evacuated
Palo Pinto, Texas—
For the past few days the massive wildfire had been moving northward, but a shift in the winds created a huge cloud of smoke.
Moments later, the city of Palo Pinto was evacuated.
Game wardens were sent door to door warning residents it was in their best interest to leave.
"We're not forcing anybody out and if they don't want to leave we're getting their name and contact info so we can get back to them", said Game Warden Steven Cantu.
Joe Lee and his wife left taking with them a 5th wheel. They parked a few miles away on the side of Highway 180 not knowing exactly what to do. They could only watch as the cloud of smoke moved in their direction.
"If they don't let us back in, there are several trailer parks in mineral wells. But if they do we'll go back", Lee said.
Part of the street downtown was blocked off and inmates were evacuated from the county jail. A few remained to hose down the roof.
The fires burning now are a combination of four fires that have all merged creating what is being called the PK Complex fire. It has scorched nearly 150,000 thousand acres taking with it dozens of homes. It's only about a quarter contained.
"We're looking at challenging conditions for the immediate future for sure, and when you throw these winds in and these warm temperatures, and that makes it very difficult to fight fires" said public information officer David Boyd.
This is the same fire burning around Possum Kingdom Lake. We're now learning dozens of homes on the lake have burned to the ground.
"It was amazing devastation. It completely burned forest, houses that were burned. It was just horrible for the whole community. It's going to take some time to recover from this", said state trooper Lonny Haschel.
The area has been under an evacuation order since Sunday.
And even a roadside in Palo Pinto is proving to be unsafe as well. Deputies had to order onlookers and residents including the Lees to leave
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