Sébastien Le Belzic (Europe 1 special correspondent in Texas) // Photo credit: Greenville Firefighter Associati / ANADOLU / Anadolu via AFP
Texas is ravaged by flames. The southern state of the United States is facing the largest fires in its history. Half a million hectares have already gone up in smoke, causing two deaths and more than 500 houses have been ravaged by the flames. And the situation is not improving as they continue to progress.
Texas is facing the largest fires in its history and nothing seems to be able to stop them. On the contrary, these fires continue to grow. Texas is on high alert this weekend. These fires are fanned by violent winds which sweep across the broad plains of the State where the slightest spark can cause a fire to start.
Celebrations of state independence from Mexico disrupted
A nuclear weapons factory even had to be evacuated in North Texas. To avoid an unprecedented disaster, firefighters had to fight the flames and managed to bring them under control there. But much of Central Texas, around the city of Austin, still faces flames.
The fire has been going on for five days now and firefighters are having great difficulty controlling the flames. Reinforcements are sent from all over the country. Especially since this weekend sees the return of wind and very dry weather, to the point that the fire could spread to the neighboring state of Oklahoma. This Saturday, residents here celebrate the proclamation of the independence of Texas, which belonged to Mexico until 1836. Normally, it is an opportunity to have a barbecue with neighbors and to see fireworks in the sky. Traditions banned this year due to fires.