Firefighters from across the state swarmed into Central Texas on Labor Day to combat devastating wildfires that left hundreds homeless and prompted Gov. Rick Perry to abruptly return from a scheduled East Coast political appearance.

At least 476 homes were destroyed in a massive Bastrop County fire that raged into second day after erupting on Sunday. Just over 50 miles to the east, fires also forced the evacuation of residents from an affluent subdivision near Lake Travis in the Austin Hill Country.

"We've got a long way to go to get this thing contained," Perry said at a press conference at the Bastrop Convention Center after touring the fire zone with U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin. Perry, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, flew back to Texas after bowing out of a presidential forum in South Carolina.

Perry's decision to temporarily leave the campaign trail underscored the devastation of wildfires that have scorched drought-ridden Texas from Possum Kingdom Lake in Palo Pinto County to a swath of Central Texas not far from the state's capital city of Austin.

Fueled by gusting winds - some stemming from Tropical Storm Lee - and drought conditions, the fires in Bastrop County stretched across more than 25,000 acres just a few miles outside of town, sending a towering cloud of gray smoke arching across the horizon. Up to 5,000 residents from largely rural neighborhoods were evacuated, but there were no reports of fatalities or injuries.

"It was a surreal experience," Perry said after seeing the fire zone. "I have seen a number of big fires in my life. This one is as mean-looking as I ever seen because it is so close to the city."

Perry said he planned to immediately request federal disaster relief for Texas fire victims. The Obama Administration turned down an earlier Perry request for wildfire relief but the Republican governor said that he hopes the new request will be "answered swiftly."

Although Bastrop County was the scene of the worst outbreak, fires also destroyed at least 25 homes in the Steiner Ranch subdivision of Travis County, a picturesque hill country development just a few miles from Lake Travis, and forced the evacuation of 1,000 homes. About 20 homes were destroyed in a fire that spread across 7,000 acres southeast of Spicewood, another Travis County community, said officials.

Over the weekend, the Texas Forest Service responded to 63 new fires that have burned approximately 32,936 acres, including new fires in Bastrop, Travis, Henderson, Limestone, Caldwell and Colorado counties, among others, according to the governor's office. The forest service was also battling existing wildfires, including major fires in Palo Pinto, Briscoe, Coryell and Montague counties.

The fire in Bastrop County ignited from unknown origins and spread southwestward, eventually combining with another fire. Pine trees that have given the area the nickame, The Lost Pines, contributed to the fires, officials said, explaining that dried pine needles apparently fueled the flames.

Although the worst devastation occurred east of Bastrop, a new threat erupted late Monday morning in the Cedar Creek neighborhood west of town when wildfires spread through dried brush and grass, forcing the evacuation of dozens of homeowners. Fire officials said the fires were apparently started by a downed power line that touched off a grass fire.

Escaping the inferno

"I've got to get out of here," said 64-year-old retired Marine Urban Graf as gray smoke wafted across the yard of his four-bedroom, three-bath home. Graf asked a reporter to drive his red 2011 Camarro to safety while he loaded his three dogs and a cat in another vehicle to escape the approaching fires.

Graf said he had gone into Bastrop to offer help to others but quickly returned after learning about the new fire in his rural neighborhood. He said he bought the home, now valued at about $300,000, nearly two decades ago. "I guess I'm going to lose it," he said as he prepared to evacuate.

Suellen Payne, who lives in a century-old home in Bastrop's downtown historic district, turned her residence into a temporary refuge for more than 15 friends who were forced to abandon their homes when the worst of the fires engulfed the eastern portion of the county over the weekend. One of the guests, Leigh Ann Cloutier, said she hadn't been able to get any information on her home for at least 24 hours but feared the worst.

Ernestina and Tony Balderas huddled in a parked van with their eight children after gathering up "a few clothes" and their new computer to escape a fire near their neighborhood. "We're worried about where we're going to go and what we're going to do," said Ernestina Balderas.

By mid-afternoon, said state officials, all but essential Texas Parks and Wildlife Department personnel were ordered to evacuate the command post at Bastrop State Park as state park firefighters continue to battle the blaze at the 6,000-acre park in Bastrop County. High plumes of smoke, fueled by gusting winds reaching up to 35 mph, continued to advance toward the park despite extensive water drops from Texas Forest Service aircraft.

The encroaching fires threatened historic structures on the park, many of which were constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and also threatened the endangered Houston toad. Bastrop County's Lost Pines area is the nation's largest home for the largest known population of the small, reclusive amphibians.

At the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, which encompasses 1,600 acres west of Bastrop, general manager Steve Dewire said was no imminent danger to the approximately 350 guests booked at the sprawling facility on Labor Day. The fires were at least three miles away from the resort, and winds were blowing the smoke and flames away from the site, Dewire said.

Nevertheless, he said, the "Hyatt family" was not immune from the nearby catastrophe. About 45 employees had either lost their homes or were unable to get to their residences and were given lodging at the hotel, Dewire said. About 55 firefighters were also being housed at the facility.

Worst he's ever seen

Fire-fighter and emergency rescue teams from across the state poured into the area throughout the day, many of them fresh from battling grassfires elsewhere in Texas. Capt. Dan White of the DFW Airport Fire Rescue said his team of about 20 personnel had dealt with wildfires in Palo Pinto County and the Ennis area before arriving Bastrop County at mid-day Monday.

"It's the worst thing I've ever seen," White said after seeing the wall of gray and white smoke.

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus released a statement expressing support for first responders and firefighters who rushed in from across the state to confront the wildfires.

"I commend the bravery of the Texas Forest Service, firefighters, volunteers, law enforcement and other state and local officials as they work tirelessly to get the fires under control and protect lives and property," Straus said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by the wildfires across the state of Texas."

Since the beginning of wildfire season, local and state firefighters have responded to more than 20,900 fires that have destroyed more than 1,000 homes and burned more than 3.6 million acres, accordoing to the governor's office. Perry has reissued his disaster proclamation nine times this wildfire season. It was originally issued on Dec. 21, 2010.

Staff Writers Anna Tinsley and Alex Branch contributed to this article.

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