Watch: Texas Wildfires, Aided by Hot Weather, Cause Massive Destruction

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AP Photo/NASA

In this April 15, 2011 satellite image release by NASA, wildfires are seen throughout the state of Texas. On Monday, April 18, 2011 in east Texas, near the Louisiana border, new blazes broke out in an area known for its thick forests, sometimes called the Piney Woods. About 3,000 acres have burned in the area, Texas Forest Service spokesman Marq Webb said.

A wildfire started at Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas has spread to 150,000 acres, and shows no signs of slowing down.

It’s the fifth reported fire in Texas over the last two weeks. Gusty winds and hot weather have made it difficult to put out the fires, according to the Associated Press. Most of the state is in a state of drought. The fires, so far, have burned enough land to fill the state of Rhode Island.

(More on TIME.com: See the best pictures of the week)

In the Possum Kingdom area, more than 30 homes have been destroyed. The AP has raw video from April 19. According to their report, the fire has torched more than 1,000 square miles of ranch land.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo3pnEsXYdM&w=450]

This YouTube user filmed the smoke at sunset on April 16, and had to leave Bluff Creek point the next day due to a mandatory evacuation.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IbeJYI0UCQ&w=450]

YouTube user jmstelzer has taken several stunning close-up videos of the flames. Here’s one.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxv1AyhIsTU&w=450]

-With reporting by Jenny Wilson