Several small forest fires are raging, which authorities say have destroyed more than 180 square kilometers of land since Thursday. On Saturday, only 15 percent of the fires were under control. In addition, local weather services say the wind will increase in strength tomorrow, which will facilitate the spread of the flames.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in 11 affected counties. In the town of Carbon (population 272), a police officer was killed on Thursday when she assisted with the evacuation and became trapped in a patrol car due to the flames, local authorities said.