Wildfire destroys scores of homes, evacuates hundreds in Texas

A wildfire has burned down about 100 homes and evacuated hundreds of residents in the U.S. state of Texas as of Monday afternoon, local media reported.

The fire broke out Sunday afternoon and continued though Monday in Texas Panhandle, a region consisting of the northernmost 26 counties in the state, the Houston Chronicle reported.

As many as two square miles was burned to the ground while hundreds of residents were evacuated to gymnasiums and shelters miles away.

The fire was contained by Monday afternoon but remained yet to be extinguished. Media reports said hundreds of firefighters from some 25 fire departments were dispatched to the area.

It was not immediately known what exactly caused the wildfire. But local officials said seasonal winds and ongoing drought are to blame. The region has seen chronic drought in recent years. Twelve people were killed in a March 2006 wildfire that burned nearly 1 million acres.

Meteorologists said the fire risk in the area is likely to continue as no rain is expected to relieve the long-term drought, according to the report.