Massive wildfire breaks out in Walker County, Texas – with THOUSANDS urged to evacuate their homes
- Texas officials have asked residents near a 500 acre wildfire to abandon their homes after extending 400 acres in just a few hours
- The major fire in Walker County is said to have started early Friday afternoon in a wooded area before quickly engulfing the area
- It remains unclear at this time what caused the fire, and if anybody had been injured
Officials in Texas are urging residents to flee their homes after a massive wildfire broke out north of Houston.
According to the Walker County Office of Emergency Management, a major fire erupted Friday afternoon in a wooded area along Lost Indian Camp Road.
The latest update from officials said that the fire had stretched to encompass 500 acres and remained uncontained.
Just hours previously, the fire was estimated to be spread out across 100 acres, which has prompted officials to ask those living in the area to flee.
Images and video shared on social media show thick dark plumes of smoke leeching up into the air as the fire burns
It remains unclear at this time as to what caused the fire, and if anybody had been injured
In a notice shared on social media the Walker County Office of Emergency Management said: ‘Major fire on Lost Indian Camp Road off FM247.
‘FM247 is closed both lanes from Pinedale to FM2989. Evacuation recommended everything within 3 miles of Lost Indian Camp Road. Air attack is dropping water.
ABC reported that authorities have now closed a six and a half mile stretch of the FM
It remains unclear at this time as to what caused the fire, and if anybody had been injured.
Images and video shared on social media show thick dark plumes of smoke leeching up into the air as the fire burns.
Footage taken from the air shows just how large the wildfire has managed to stretch to in such a short time.
The latest update from officials said that the fire had stretched to encompass 500 acres and remained uncontained
Camera footage taken from aboveeven struggles to pick out the flames due to the thick smoke below
ABC reported that authorities have now closed a six and a half mile stretch of the FM
The camera footage even struggles to pick out the flames due to the thick smoke below.
The Walker County government website stated it issued a burn ban all the way back on July 31, which restricts most outdoor ignitions.
The reported burn area is located 83 miles outside of downtown Houston.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also announced that he had directed the Texas A&M Forest Service to open the Austin Airtanker base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to assist in wildfire suppression.
Governor Abbott said in a statement: ‘Texas has activated the Austin Airtanker Base to further assist our brave firefighters and emergency response personnel throughout the state and protect Texans from these wildfires.
‘Additional resources through this airtanker base will provide even greater support to state and local officials as they swiftly respond.
‘With triple-digit heat forecasted for this Labor Day weekend, I urge Texans to remain weather-aware and limit any activities that may cause sparks or flames that could lead to accidental fires.’
The base will serve as a reload station for aircraft coming and going to the wildfires.