Thursday is shaping up to be a day with high winds and dry conditions, which leads to high fire danger.
The Texas Forest Service says temperatures are expected to be in the 90-degree range with wind speed around 15 to 20 mph. Gusts of 30 mph are also expected.
Texas Panhandle residents got a reminder how how quickly fires can spread Wednesday when a fire broke out in Hutchison County. In just a little more than two hours, the fire is estimated to have burned close to 1,000 acres. Officials with Hutchinson County said a discarded cigarette could be to blame.
People are being asked to avoid outdoor activities that could generate a spark or open flames. It's also a good idea to clear combustible materials away from your home and just to avoid outdoor burning until the fire threat decreases. Currently,169 counties in the Lone Star State have a burn ban in place, which includes much of the Panhandle.
The Forest Service said they have worked 67 fires in the past days. Those fires have burned more than 14,000 acres of land. A total of 246,089 acres have burned as a result of grassfires state-wide.
