Two lives and 1,400 homes destroyed by Bastrop fire.

A massive wildfire near Austin, Texas is only 30% contained and may grow further, authorities say. The fire has already claimed 1,400 homes and two lives.

AUSTIN, TX (Catholic Online) - Fueled by the long drought and earlier this  week by strong winds, the Bastrop County fire continues to rage out of control. The fire has claimed two lives, and search and rescue teams are searching the rubble for more victims. 

The fire nearly claimed additional lives when a power crew working to restore electricity became trapped by flames. The imperiled crew was quickly rescued by helicopter.

Firefighters say most of the momentum of the fire has been stopped, so it is not spreading as rapidly as before, which is helpful, however the fire remains strong in the interior of the burned area. 

To combat the flames, several aircraft have been called up, including a DC-10 tanker that can drop thousands of gallons along a swath of burning land nearly three-quarters of a mile long. The aerial assets are essential to combat fast moving or intense wildfires. In addition to the DC-10, numerous helicopters are also being used. 

Across the state almost 250 other homes have been reported as destroyed in other fires also caused in part by the severe drought.

With thousands evacuated for almost a week, authorities have just started to allow residents in some areas to return to their homes. Some are lucky, their houses spared the worst, but too many more find only ashes and memories where precious homes once stood.

The weather forecast remains bleak with only a slight chance of rain in the coming days. A tropical storm in the Bay of Campeche has a slim chance of moving towards the Austin area and possibly dropping some rain on the dry vegetation. However, meteorologists caution that the odds are slight. 

Do you have thoughts or prayers for the victims of the Texas wildfires? Please feel free to share them below.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'