Bush grants aid to Texas counties hit by wildfires

Bushgrants aid to Texas counties hit by wildfires

15 March 2008

published by www.chron.com

USA — President Bush is making federal aid available to more than 70 percentof counties in Texas after wildfires spread across the state.

State officials said on Saturday that more than 133,000 acres have burnedsince high temperatures and strong winds made Friday one of the worst forwildfires in recent years.

Texas Forest Service spokesman Rich Phelps called Friday “one of the toptwo or three” wildfire events in Texas since 2006. Phelps said coolertemperatures and higher relative humidity Saturday should make the state farless vulnerable.

Bush’s emergency declaration authorizes federal aid and resources to 184counties.

No injuries have been reported from the fires. Phelps said only a smallnumber of structures were lost.

Phelps said firefighters on Saturday will continue trying to extinguishblazes that are already contained.