Capital Highlights: Wildfire risk remains high in much of state

By Gary Borders

Much of the state remains at considerable risk for wildfires through this week, largely because of higher-than-usual temperatures and drought conditions. More than 40% of the state is suffering extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Nearly the entire state is in some form of drought, with much of the Panhandle, High Plains and west central Texas most at risk. 

 Nearly 123,000 acres in Texas have burned in March alone, according to Texas A&M Forest Service. Earlier this month, more than 54,000 acres burned in Eastland County, between Fort Worth and Abilene. A sheriff’s deputy died while trying to rescue others from that blaze.