More than 1 million acres charred in Texas wildfires

from ChaoticFate.com by qew

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The fires are blanketing entire regions with thick ash.

Source:	(AHN)	Reporter:	Ayinde O. Chase
Location:	Houston, TX, United States	Published:	April 19, 2011 05:04 pm EDT
Topics:	Disaster And Accident, Disaster, Disaster And Accident, Fire

Fire crews in Texas continue to battle numerous wildfires which have already burned more than 1 million acres in the state for more than a week. Making matters worse for those on the ground and in the air is the fact that the weather forecast for the region calls for another dry, hot, windy day.

At least 22 fires are plaguing 252 out of 254 of the state’s counties.

One of the biggest fires, covering parts of Stephens and Palo Pinto Counties and is near Possum Kingdom Lake which is less than 70 miles from the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. That fire which is marked the fifth reported fire in Texas over the last two weeks has destroyed at least 31 homes and according to the Texas Forest Service is endangering over 600 others.

Texas is currently experiencing its worst drought in nearly 50 years. The dry conditions have resulted in over 110 homes being destroyed and firefighters stretched thin tackling the blazes.

As the fires thick ash rains down like snow residents of several communities voluntarily left their homes or proceeded under the direction of authorities who evacuated the town of Strawn.

The forest service is reporting 10 new fires since Monday that have already burned 435 acres.

According to Texas Forest Service spokeswoman Nicole Hawk Fire crews have had made some headway in staving off the fire’s path and have containment in some areas.

The 150,000-acre Wildcat Fire north of San Angelo however is still raging but firefighters were able to save more than 400 homes and employ good control lines overnight. They are hopeful that will slow down or halt its advance.

Read more:http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90045543?More%20than%201%20million%20acres%20charred%20in%20Texas%20wildfires#ixzz1K0gjvnVo