Wildfires threaten Texas communities

A complex of wildfires 70 to 80 miles west of Fort Worth around and south of Possum Kingdom Reservoir had burned about 32,000 acres and destroyed an undetermined number of homes Sunday, said Texas Forest Service spokesman Marq Webb. Another 31 homes had been lost to the fires as of Saturday night. Subdivisions in the area were evacuated Sunday, as well as the 70 residents of the Caddo community and the 750 who live in Strawn, Webb said.

A grass fire in southwestern Austin damaged at least 10 homes and put as many as 10 others in imminent threat Sunday. The fire burned 30 to 40 acres in the Oak Hill section of the capital city before state helicopters lifting large buckets filled from nearby lakes dropped water on burning grass and homes.

Two four-engine C-130 aircraft later joined the effort, and the once-dense column of black smoke had lessened significantly as the contained fire burned close to the ground. Nearby major roads were reopened.

Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said the fire is contained but not yet under control. Fire Chief Rhoda Kerr said the conditions are still extremely favorable for more fires to occur, because it

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