>> reporter: to the north in minnesota -- >> looks like it's roping out there. >> reporter: the earliest calendar year tornado on record. this is all that's left of this home. the tornado ripping nearly a 12-mile long path of destruction. david? >> just a stunning scene tonight. alex, our thanks to you. in the meantime, fierce winds from that same storm front fueling a deadly string of wildfires in four states tonight. flames burning in the texas panhandle, threatening hundreds of homes, but firefighters losing the battle to save some homes in colorado, and some family members losing their lives while trying to save their property. abc's clayton sandell from colorado tonight. >> reporter: across the plains tonight, firefighters aren't just battling flames. they are against dry, powerful winds. supercharged wildfires are tearing through hundreds of square miles in parts of kansas, oklahoma, colorado and texas. in gray county, texas, ranch