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Fires are Burning Across the Panhandle

U.S. Drought Monitor
U.S. Drought Monitor
Brutal drought conditions are boosting wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma.

While Northeast Texas has been out of drought and generally under moderate fire risk since March, wildfires are burning across the Panhandle.

The Texas A&M Forest Service at least 40 fires have scorched almost 60,000 acres in the past week in that part of Texas. The Panhandle has been under exceptional drought conditions for weeks, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That’s the worst level of drought possible.

Dry, heavy winds and low humidity have helped spread Texas fires into New Mexico and Oklahoma. In the Oklahoma Panhandle, almost a quarter million acres has been burned by wildfires through mid-April.

Scott Morgan has been an award-winning journalist since 2001. His work has appeared in several newspapers and magazines as well as online. He has also been an editor, freelancer, speaker, writing teacher, author, and podcaster.