Wildfire Risk Heightened in Central U.S. as Mercury Soars and Winds Pick Up Speed

As fire crews in Texas race to control the wildfires burning in the state's panhandle region, forecasters are warning that record-breaking temperatures and windy conditions will raise the risk of fires throughout much of the central U.S. through the weekend.

Read on for what you need to know about this warm and windy forecast.

Update on Texas Fires

The record warmth will pair with gusty winds to extend the fire risk from the southern Plains and to the north over the next few days. Thunderstorms could raise this risk further at the hands of the lightning strikes.

Over one million acres have been scorched in the Texas Panhandle over the last few days. The Smokehouse Creek Fire is now distinguished as the largest wildfire to ever burn through the Lone Star State and also the second-largest wildfire in history when measuring acreage for the entire country.