Texas wildfires path LIVE – Evacuations ordered in Eastland and Ranger near Dallas as gusty winds create dangerous blaze

EVACUATIONS have been ordered in parts of Texas as wildfires burn across the state.

Several wildfires merged to form what fire officials call a “complex” that was burning near Eastland, about 120 miles west of Dallas.

As of Friday morning, the fires had burned about 62.5 square miles (162 square kilometers), according to Texas A&M Forest Service. It was only 2 percent contained and fires were burning in thick brush and grass fields.

About 18,000 people live in Eastland County, where the large fire was burning.

Other smaller fires were burning throughout other areas of Texas, and Thursday’s low humidity and high winds created an ideal scenario for the blazes to quickly grow out of control.

Texas A&M Forest Service had warned of a wildfire outbreak this week because of the forecast.

Read our Texas wildfires live blog for the latest news and updates…