Why did the Texas Panhandle fires grow so fast?

By ISABELLA O’MALLEY
Associated Press

Wildfires raging in the Texas Panhandle have been growing at a staggering rate, resulting in widespread evacuations. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties late Tuesday as the blaze grew to become the second largest in state history. The fast-moving fires are rare, but not unprecedented. Light rain Thursday could help firefighters’ efforts, but winds could pick up again as the weekend approaches.