Texas seeks emergency ag aid in wake of wildfires
WHEELER, TEXAS (AP) -- The state agriculture commissioner is seeking federal relief for Texas farmers and ranchers who suffered $35 million in losses from March and April wildfires.
Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday, asking for assistance. That's after wildfires destroyed more than 220,000 acres of pasture, about 1,500 miles of fence and almost 500 head of cattle and calves.
Staples asks that the 18 North Texas counties be declared disaster areas, providing relief funding and open up grazing acreage.
The counties are Archer, Baylor, Callahan, Clay, Cooke, Eastland, Hamilton, Hood, Jack, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Shackleford, Stephens, Wheeler, Wichita, Wise and Young.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
