Wildfires continue to burn through Texas

Wednesday marks the 296th straight day of wildfires blazing across Texas. Approximately 181 fires have burned throughout the state this week, torching more than 120,000 acres and 1,000 homes.

Record-setting drought and humidity in the state has formed ideal conditions for the raging wildfires, enlisting 2,000 firefighters in an attempt to stop them. The fires have taken the lives of at least four people, including a mother and her 18-month-old child. Four fighters have been hospitalized for heat exhaustion after working the Magnolia fire.

The largest fire occurring in Bastrop country spreads across 30,000 acres, making it the largest fire in Texas’ history. Located near Austin, the Bastrop fire has destroyed 600 homes and forced 5,000 residents to evacuate. As of Wednesday, it was deemed 30 percent contained, in which firefighters claimed their goal was to save as many structures as possible.

The Texas Task Force 1, an elite search team that was sent to New York on September 11 and to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, will now help search for people trapped under debris in the Bastrop County fire through the use of canines.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has had to return from a presidential campaign trip in South Carolina in order to deal with the crisis. Seven federal grants were approved by the Obama administration to assist with relief efforts.

Since the start of the wildfire season in November, 3.5 million acres, an area about the size of Connecticut, has burned through Texas. Though some fires have lessened, firefighters continue to battle the 181 fires throughout the state.