4.18.2008 9:07 AM

Texas Wildfire Destroys 6 Homes

A Brisk, Deadly Start to the 2008 Wildfire Season

There are several red flag and fire weather warnings across the U.S. for April 18, 2008.

Photo: National Weather Service

By Dan Shapley

Wildfires near Odessa, Texas, have destroyed six homes, and led to the evacuation of 150 other homes, according to the Associated Press. The fire comes just days after a Colorado wildfire killed three, led to the evacuation of more than 1,000 residents and burned 11 square miles.

The fires are among more than 13,555 recorded already in 2008. That's a slightly lower total than the five-year average to date, but the acreage burned — 1.1 million — is 45.7% above the five-year average, and 97.7% above the average since 2000. The totals do not include this week's fires, including those in Colorado and Texas.

Despite a wet winter that typically tamps down on fire risk, a particularly dry March has made conditions ripe for fires in much of the West.

Scientists warn that fire risk will increase with global warming, as mountain snowpack diminishes, summer heat increases and vegetation become more susceptible to drying out.

More fire activity is likely today, as the National Weather Service has announced red flag warnings due to fire risk across several parts of the U.S.

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