(CNN) — Firefighters in Texas continued efforts to contain fast-moving wildfires that have destroyed at least 60 homes, burned more than 120 000 acres, and caused an accident that killed a five-year-old child, state forestry officials said today.
The fires broke out about noon on Sunday, said Lewis Kearney, a spokesman for the forest service’s Texas State Lone Star Incident Management Team. Officials believe many were started by power lines that fell from high winds.
Since that time, forestry officials, who were called in to assist local fire departments, have responded to 25 fires in 15 counties across the Texas Panhandle, Kearney said.
Crews that worked through the night to douse the flames will get a little help from the weather. The wind that propelled the fires is expected to be calmer today, according to CNN Meteorologist Monica O’Connor, although parts of the area remain under a Fire Weather Watch.
Kearney said Sunday’s high winds made it difficult for firefighters to use aircraft to battle the blaze.
