2011 Texas Wildfires Burn Nearly 191,000 Acres

March 4, 2011

The Texas Forest Service says wildfires so far this year have burned nearly twice as many acres as in all of 2010.

Texas Forest Service spokesman Lewis Kearney told The Associated Press that the agency, since Jan. 1, has responded to 240 fires that burned nearly 191,000 acres. More than 130 structures were destroyed.

The Texas Forest Service last year responded to nearly 1,200 fires that scorched about 102,000 acres.

Efforts continue to assess damage from wildfires in West Texas. Emergency management personnel in Randall and Potter counties estimate the wildfires caused nearly $13 million in structural damage, with about 70 residences destroyed.

Kearney says forecasters believe next Monday and Tuesday will have the potential for more wildfires, with possible strong winds and dry conditions.

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