Strong Wind Hampers Crews Battling Texas Fires

WHEELER, Texas (AP) - Firefighters in Texas are struggling to contain wildfires from the Oklahoma border to the Gulf Coast.

The blazes have destroyed homes, killed cattle and charred thousands of acres.

The largest of the fires is a 15,000-acre blaze near the Panhandle town of Wheeler. Eight homes and 26 outbuildings have been destroyed, including barns and garages. The Texas Forest Service says the fire has also killed some cattle, though it's not known how many. The fire is only about 25% contained.

Firefighters in Wheeler and elsewhere are being hampered by strong winds.

Four houses, two businesses and six outbuildings have been destroyed in a fire in Aransas County on the Texas Gulf Coast. The roughly 70-acre fire threatens at least 100 homes.

Meanwhile, a nearly 2,200-acre wildfire in Jack County is about 75% contained.

Texas fire crews also are battling three other wildfires in northern parts of the state.

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