Texas: Panhandle Wildfires Consume Nearly 1 Million Acres, Kill 11

Rain and sleet fell over much of the charred Texas Panhandle on Friday as crews put out hot spots from wildfires that have consumed 840,000 acres, and have killed at least 11 people since Sunday and 10,000 cattle and horses.

"The losses to the state have been staggering," Gov. Rick Perry said after taking an aerial tour of the area Thursday. He called for immediate federal assistance.

“With the help of a number of generous communities, we have deployed more than 35 heavy fire engines, 35 brush trucks, about 50 bulldozer crews, four water tankers and the largest helicopter in the nation with a capacity to hold 3,000 gallons of fire retardant,” Perry said. “Not only have Texas communities come to the rescue of their neighbors in need, so have an amazing number of states – 29 to be precise, from as far away as Maine – by providing fire fighters and equipment to stop the spread of these fires.”

In the 24 hours leading up to Perry's tour on March 16, Texas had responded to 294 new fires which destroyed two homes and forced the evacuation of six individuals. Firefighting aircraft flew 205 missions and dropped nearly 140,000 gallons of fire retardant. Those efforts are credited with saving 47 homes.

Perry has urged Texans to use caution in the coming days.

“My message to Texans is two-fold: first, don’t delay in getting to safety if your property is considered at risk because these fires spread faster than anyone can run,” Perry said. “Second, Texas remains a tinderbox, so people need to use extra caution to avoid starting an accidental blaze.”

Since Dec. 26, more than 10,866 separate wildfires in Texas have burned nearly 5 million acres and destroyed 399 homes.

Source: Forbes.com, Texas Office of the Governor news release

Posted: Monday, March 20, 2006 12:00:00 AM. Modified: Monday, March 20, 2006 2:50:21 PM.

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