WILDFIRES are spreading across Central Texas as firefighters try to control the devastation left behind.

The wildfires spreading throughout the area come as other parts of the country have experienced similar occurrences.

Where are wildfires spreading in Texas?

The wildfires reportedly spread across several counties in Central Texas, covering the land in a layer of fog and soot.

Firefighters are working to contain the fires but are up against dry conditions and strong winds which continue to feed the flames.

Approximately 38,000 acres were consumed in the blaze as of the evening of March 17 with zero percent contained, according to Texas A&M Forest Service.

That number has since increased to 45,383 in Eastland County with only 4 percent contained.

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"Aviation resources including 3 large air tankers, helicopters, and 3 fireboss single-engine air tankers will be working on the fire today to help reinforce areas of concern," the Texas A&M Forest Service tweeted at 11am on March 18.

The Eastland, Brown, and Comanche counties have been evacuated, including about 475 homes in the town of Gorman.

The fire has consumed additional areas including the small town, Ranger,where a church and several downtown buildings burned.

"I've been fire chief here 40 years and when you have something like this… it hurts. It hurts the whole community," Ranger Fire Department Chief Darrell Fox told CBS DFW News.

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"You know, this church had been here for 100 years. [And] this right here was my first fire station when I first went to work for the City of Ranger. So you know, a lot of it is sentimental."

According to ABC8, as of 5.15am on March 18, the active fires are located in:

• Eastland County – estimated 39,883 acres, 2% contained
• Reagan County – estimated 8,000 acres, 80% contained
• Sterling County – estimated 3,878 acres, 75% contained
• Randall County – 166 acres, 90% contained
• Runnels County – estimated 7,500 acres, 80% contained
• Maverick County – estimated 3,500 acres, 95% contained

What caused the wildfires?

Ranger Fire Department Chief Darrell Fox told ABC News the fires were may have started from a barbeque pit, although the cause of the fires has not been officially announced.

What started as four smaller fires, fueled by the dry humidity and strong winds, created the perfect storm as the flames moved toward each other to create what fire officials are calling a complex.

"We had everything ready throughout the county,” Fox said. “But when we have the winds like there was … and the humidity down to nothing, this is what you’re going to get.”

Two shelters have currently been set up for evacuees:

• First Baptist Church Eastland
  405 S. Seaman Street, Eastland, TX 76448
• River of Life Church
  1247 E. Main Street, Eastland, TX 76448

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Have there been any fatalities?

There have not been any reports of injuries or fatalities resulting from the blaze, but fire officials are saying there is no way of knowing the level of the devastation until the fires are contained.

Matthew Ford, a spokesperson for Texas A&M Forest Service told ABC News, “Until we get more boots on the ground we don’t have an estimate.

“Our top priority is life, safety, and protection of structures."

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