Huge forest fires burn in Texas

20 April 2011, last updated 10: 44 GMT bones dry conditions and winds to to whipped have, that the FlamesFirefighters in the U.S. State of Texas fighting forest fires included that have burned more than a million hectares in the past two weeks.

An official told CNN fires "of the border, border", have been burning with some for more than 100,000 hectares.

Long-term drought, high temperatures and gusting winds have created ideal conditions for the fires spread.

Several villages were evacuated and flames are now near one of the largest cities of the country to Fort Worth.

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the fire at the Possum Kingdom Lake of just about any angle at any given time is "

forest service the Texas forest service quote end Lee McNeely Texas said it did respond to 11 new fire had on Tuesday", in addition to the results already burn across the State. Almost 200 homes were destroyed were reported.

Aircraft was have clear water and fire retardant was begie?end on the burning areas during firefighters threatened houses have.

The Texas forest service is now more than 20 active fires in Texas, according to the Austin American-statesman newspaper.

Forest Service spokeswoman Holly Huffman said the newspaper, that a hard winter and the driest March on the files had "combined for a profusion of tall, dead grass and shrubs, which serve as kindling" for the forest fires.

Firefighters from more than 34 countries are reportedly involved in the operation against the fires.

"Chaotic wind"

On Friday, Possum Kingdom State Park was closed while residents Kingdom Lake, about 70 miles (113 km) West of Fort Worth, have been evacuated from several communities around Possum. Some 200 prisoners were moved from the Palo Pinto county jail.

Forecasters say there is a chance rain firefighters will help next week

Ash was reported, that fall from the sky in several cities.

"I was flame lengths of 40 ft [12 m] last night, see forestry spokesman Lee McNeely" was quoted by Reuters words.

"The fire Kingdom come in the Possum Lake from just about every angle at any time."

Officials said the fire was Fort Worth itself, which achieve has a population of about 750,000 unlikely.

Weather forecasters say there is a 30% chance of rain in the region on Wednesday and Thursday, which could facilitate conditions.

But Daniel Huckaby, a meteorologist at the national weather service in Fort Worth, Texas, warned that no rain would see some areas, and that the change in weather could increase the risk.

"With the chaotic wind storms can produce, and they can produce which may worsen the lightening", he told the associated press.

The US national weather service has said, higher humidity and wind over the North Texas decreased in the next week, expect it said "Certainly good news for fire-fighting would be operations".

Texas Governor Rick Perry has asked President Barack Obama to the issue of a major disaster declaration for the State to the fires.

Said in a letter last week, he Mr Obama, that was "reaching its ability, this emergency respond" and federal help to protect houses and citizens required.

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