Several wildfires, exacerbated by arid weather and strong winds, swept through various southern states on Thursday. These blazes led to evacuation orders in Texas and caused Florida authorities to shut down a significant stretch of highway as many were traveling during the peak of spring break season.
A wildfire in Sam Houston National Forest close to Houston led to the evacuation of approximately 900 residences and caused school closures. The National Weather Service put out heightened fire alerts across the country’s fourth-biggest metropolis.
The blaze consumed approximately 3.7 square miles (9.6 square kilometers) and remained around 20% contained on Thursday afternoon, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Firefighters utilized water-dropping helicopters to tackle active areas and employed bulldozers to construct defensive barriers.
Investigator’s suspect that the fire began on Wednesday due to an intended controlled burn conducted on privately owned land, stated Josh Mizrany, who serves as the assistant chief law enforcement officer for the Texas A&M Forest Service.
He stated that investigators will examine the progression of the fire and may hand over evidence to local prosecutors if needed.
Authorities did not report extensive damage or any injuries. However, officials from Montgomery County mentioned that they were aware of one house that was completely destroyed by fire.
The Cleveland Independent School District, catering to roughly 12,000 students, decided to close schools as a preventative measure.
Florida fires
A substantial wildfire that started on Tuesday in the Florida Keys prompted officials to shut down both routes entering and exiting the island chain due to hazy smoke and to facilitate the movement of firefighting gear.
Authorities stated that the fire had consumed approximately 34 square miles (88 square kilometers) and was around 20% contained.
In Florida, spring break is in high gear, and authorities stated that US Route 1, the key route linking the mainland to the islands, would likely experience periodic closings over the next few days. This highway is frequently used by residents from the mainland commuting to numerous hotels and eateries in Key Largo and further destinations.
Arkansas blazes
In Arkansas, teams addressed almost 100 fires on Wednesday that were exacerbated by strong winds, and they tackled five additional blazes on Thursday.
Several highways were shut down because of the fires, with a section of Interstate 530 south-east of Little Rock being affected primarily due to thick smoke.
Fire destroyed buildings across multiple towns, with one notable incident occurring in Little Rock. At St. Joseph’s—a historic structure over a century old located in North Little Rock—the ceiling caved in. This site previously functioned as an orphanage but currently houses a nonprofit organization focused on promoting urban agriculture initiatives.
What's causing the fires?
Recently, the South has faced chilly and arid weather, accompanied by strong breezes, which have exacerbated the situation.
Fire risks have extended across Texas, starting from the far northern Panhandle region, where frozen and subsequently dried-out ground cover occurred, all the way eastward to the coastline, spanning several hundred miles.
In recent weeks, South Florida has experienced very minimal precipitation. The rainy season typically begins around mid-May. Meteorologist Donald Harragan from the National Weather Service office in Miami stated that another cold front accompanied by dry air is forecasted to move into South Florida on Thursday evening.
Red Flag warnings
The meteorological agency has put out Red Flag warnings due to critical fire conditions in eastern Texas and southern Florida, with possibilities of extending these alerts over multiple days.
The National Weather Service issues red flag warnings when fire conditions are favorable. In southeastern Texas, meteorologists forecasted wind speeds reaching up to 25 mph (40 km/h) alongside humidity levels dropping as low as 18%. This mix will further desiccate plants and foliage.
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