The Associated Press
 AP Photo/Erich Schlegel David Ivey with the Texas Forest Service puts out one of several remaining hot spots, in the Bastrop, Texas, area Monday. |
BASTROP, Texas — A wildfire that destroyed 28 homes and a dozen businesses in central Texas was about 70 percent contained Monday, officials said.
The blaze, fueled by severely dry grass, brush and trees, has scorched about two square miles since it was started Saturday by a fallen power line, Texas Forest Service spokesman Lewis Kearney said.
No injuries have been reported in the blaze, which is near Bastrop, about 30 miles southeast of Austin.
On Monday, firefighters used bulldozers to help dig a control line around the fire. Three homes were lost since early Sunday evening, Kearney said, and the others had been destroyed earlier.
The homes were scattered throughout incorporated land in Bastrop County, Bastrop Mayor Terry Orr said. Displaced residents are staying in a shelter in Smithville, with friends or relatives or in hotels, he said.
Some of the destroyed businesses, including a cafe, a gift shop and an antiques store, were in a small business center, Orr said.
Gov. Rick Perry activated state resources, including four Blackhawk helicopters equipped to drop water and fire retardant.
The wildfire is the latest of thousands this year in drought-stricken Texas. Since Jan. 1, fires have scorched more than 100,000 acres and destroyed nearly 100 homes.
No rain was forecast across Texas for the next several days and temperatures in some areas were expected to reach the 80s.