Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Texas fires claim lives of humans, animals

MIAMI, Texas - The charred bodies of four oilfield workers were found a short distance from their car. A cow that had tried to push through a barbed wire fence was discovered burned alive. And 10,000 other cattle and horses were feared dead across the smoking landscape.

The grisly toll from one of the state's worst outbreaks of wildfires became ever clearer Tuesday as the blazes continued to burn across the dry Texas Panhandle.

At least 11 people have died and 1,900 others have been forced to evacuate since the weekend. The fires, propelled by winds as high as 55 mph, have raced across more than 1,000 square miles.

Firefighters reported making progress Tuesday, but optimism was guarded, with winds forecast to gust to 30 mph today. Higher humidity, though, was expected to mean the fire danger would "not be as explosive as it was on Sunday," said John Cockrell of the National Weather Service in Amarillo.

More than 350 firefighters battled the blazes, with 26 aircraft dropping fire retardant and 55 bulldozer crews clearing brush and digging trenches.

"We share in the grief of those who have lost family members and loved ones, and we offer our prayers," Gov. Rick Perry said. "Throughout this wildfire season, communities in our state have shown strength and resolve that are uniquely Texan."

The four oilfield workers likely died Sunday, said Newell Rankin, range foreman of the ranch where the bodies were found. Rankin said it appeared the men drove into a ravine, where they abandoned the car and tried to flee.

Carla Everett, a spokeswoman for the Texas Animal Health Commission, said about 10,000 cattle and horses were believed killed.

[Last modified March 15, 2006, 01:32:16]