Texas town evacuated as firefighters battle state’s biggest ever wildfire

Planes drop fire retardant on blazes that have destroyed up to 500 homes and businesses as weather change may offer some respite

Strong winds spread flames and prompted at least one evacuation while airplanes dropped fire retardant over the northern Texas Panhandle as firefighters worked to stop the largest wildfire in state history.

The large Smokehouse Creek fire was 15% contained and two other fires were 60% contained. Authorities have not said what ignited the fires, but strong winds, dry grass and unseasonably warm temperatures fed the blazes.