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What's that smoky smell? Houstonians report acrid fumes as fires burn in Central Texas
The Eastland Complex fires in Central Texas are only 2 percent contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Flames quickly spread through dry grass west of Abilene, Texas near Old Highway 80 Thursday, March 17, 2022.
Ronald W. ErdrichIf you woke to the smell of smoke hovering over the Houston area this morning, don’t be alarmed. Winds from the northwest are blowing smoke and haze to the Bayou City from wildfires currently raging in Central Texas.
The Texas A&M Forest Service Thursday reported that multiple small fires combined to form a massive blaze now raging in Eastland County, which is just east of Abilene. As of Friday morning, the fire has consumed 39,883 acres and is still only 2 percent contained, the forest service reported.
The combination of Thursday night’s cold front and gusty winds, some as high as 20 to 30 mph, pushed the smoke from the wildfire across the state to the Houston area, according to Space City Weather.
Confused and concerned, residents took to social media to report the scent of smoke as hit the area. Some as far south as Pearland reported smelling the smoke as they stepped outside Friday morning.
Despite the strong odors, air quality readings in Houston were moderate as of 9 a.m., according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
This is a developing story.