Firefighters in drought-stricken Texas are struggling to contain a 16-mile-wide (26-km) wildfire that has destroyed almost 500 homes, BBC reported.
Officials said the fire had "grown considerably" on Monday and was now burning on 25,000 acres (10,000 ha).
Texas Governor Rick Perry cut short presidential campaigning, and said the next 48 to 72 hours would be "crucial".
Scores of fires are burning across Texas, which has been hit by high winds generated by Tropical Storm Lee.
Recent fires across Texas have burned 3.5 million acres, Mr Perry said, adding: "That's roughly the size of Connecticut."
He urged people to heed evacuation orders and not to stay in their homes if they had lost power.
"I understand that losing your home or lifetime possessions is incredibly difficult, but do not put your life in jeopardy," Mr Perry said.
A blaze in east Texas killed a 20-year-old woman and her baby daughter on Sunday before it was extinguished.