The Governor declared a disaster and requested federal assistance when over 70 wildland fires were burning across the central and northern areas of Texas.

The combination of plentiful dry fuel, low humidity, gusty winds, high temperatures, and careless people has primed the state for the worst wildland fire season since 1996. More than 15,000 acres burned in one 24-hour period and the total area burned is now well over 20,000 acres. About twenty counties have experienced wildland fires this week.

The worst fire was in Cross Plains, population 1,000, located southeast of Abilene. When a wall of flames blew through the community 120 homes were burned and two people died in their houses. The fire burned about 8,000 acres and swept through the town as firefighters from 31 departments fought multiple structure fires with inadequate water supply. The fire was brought under control about midnight but not until a third of the community was destroyed.

For more information regarding the wildfires and fire risk levels, see the Texas Interagency Coordination Center website at http://www.tamu.edu/ticc/.