UPDATE:
The drought continues. A wildfire just southwest of Amarillo, Texas burned out of
control into the city limits, threatening an area off loop 335 and Soncy Rd. Area
were asked to evacuate for a few hours.




As of March 15th, 1/2 million acres have been lost to fires in Texas. 11 people
are dead, 2 are missing and thousands of cattle are dead or still dying in pastures
due to the worst wildfires in Texas history. A severe drought and high winds have
created a situation that is perfect for such fires. More red flag warning are out
today as the drought continues and the high winds warning for gusts around 50 mph are
forecast.

These photographs were taken on March 14, 2006 along I-40 in the Texas Panhandle between
Groom and McLean traveling east.

MORE ADDED - March 16th, 2006 - Taken in Roberts and Ochiltree Counties, Texas

UPDATE: A news reporter just said that over 800,000 acres have now been burned in Texas wildfires.
There is a hope for some rain on Saturday.

UPDATE: TV reports say that now a million acres of Texas ranchland has been lost to wildfires in the
Texas Panhandle area. Over 10,000 head of cattle has been killed. Fires continue to burn in Roberts, Ochiltree and Gray Counties, but are 85 percent contained. During a trip out to these areas today
I observed fire units, pumpers, helicopters, power trucks and semi-trucks full of relief feed for cattle and horses.

UPDATE 3/17: We had some moisture over the area today. Not much moisture, but enough to wet down some of the vegetation and keep the fires from spreading. Most of the fires are now about 80% contained in most places. More rain is expected as the weekend progresses. This is very good news.