- Artists transform hurricane aftermath into hoop-inspired masterpieces at Charlotte exhibit
- NC's cost for Hurricane Helene damage is nearly $60 billion, state says
- State to develop drone program to better respond to disasters like Helene, Florence
- South Carolina residents face deadline to get storm debris out to the curb after Hurricane Helene
- SCDOT to pick up Hurricane Helene debris for a final day in South Carolina
Texas officials close state park due to massive 500-acre wildfire
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has closed a state park due to the massive wildfire in Palo Pino County. Officials announced on social media how Dinosaur Valley State Park is now closed as of Tuesday, July 19.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the destructive fire in Palo Pinto County has burned more than 500 acres and reportedly destroyed at least eight homes. As of Tuesday morning, 10% of the fire has been contained, according to Texas A&M Forest Service.
Reports about the fire came in around 1 p.m. on Monday, July 18. The Texas A&M Forest Service said fires are burning in Kaufman, Boseque, Somervell, and Palo Pinto counties. People who lived in the area were told to evacuate. Texas Game Wardens have been conducting evacuations and assisting first responders in response to a wildfire in Palo Pinto County.
It is unclear how the fire started. No injuries have been reported due to the fire as of Tuesday morning. Officials are still addressing the fire.
“Please keep the community and all responders in your thoughts and prayers,” Texas Game Warden wrote in a Facebook post on Monday, July 18.
Continued triple-digit temperatures and dry conditions will reduce the moisture in vegetation across the landscape, increasing the possibility of wildfire ignitions occurring this week, according to Texas A&M Forest Service.