Burn Ban Instituted to Control Massive Grass Fires; No Rain in Forecast
KENNEDALE, Texas, Dec. 29, 2005 — -- After a week of fighting wildfires that have already charred 20,000 acres across Texas, authorities now cast a wary eye on the weather forecast.
High winds, no rain, low humidity are expected this weekend.
"We're 15½ inches below normal for the year with rain and again, it doesn't look like there's any rain in sight," said Pete Delkus, meteorologist for Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA.
The region has experienced its worst drought since the 1950s. As a result, authorities have now issued burn bans across five states -- from Kansas to Louisiana.
With a holiday weekend approaching, fireworks and barbecues are prohibited. Burning trash, welding and any activity that could ignite a flame outdoors is banned as well.
"A personal plea to you: If you got fireworks, save them until next year," said Tarrant County fire marshal Randy Renois during a press conference today.
Added Weatherford, Texas, fire marshal Kurt Harris: "We've already lost four precious souls in this state because of these grass fires."
Today Texas Governor Rick Perry surveyed the charred communities from the air. Granbury, Texas, was among the hardest hit. That's where Alice Hicks escaped the fast-moving fires with her 7-month-old grandson:
"I'm a single mother who raised three kids," she said, "and I was proud to have something to call my own. Now it's gone."
In Cross Plains, Texas, Melissa Masters and her husband barely had time to get out, leaving behind all their wedding gifts. They were married last week.
Her wedding dress was reduced to ashes.
Today families in Oklahoma and Texas tried to salvage anything -- photos, heirlooms, the family Bible -- but in so many cases, there was nothing left.
"We can't bring it back," said Lucille Koenig of Cross Plains, Texas. "It's gone."
Authorities hope others will take their warnings to heart.
"We're in critically dry conditions, and they're not going to change," said Nick Harrison of the Texas Forest Service. "And we've got three more months of this to go."
ABC News' David Muir filed this report for "World News Tonight."
