April 15 High Wind and Wildfire Event Summary:  Another potent spring-time storm system moved over the Southern Plains of the U.S. on the 15th and resulted in strong to occasionally severe westerly winds over much of the region. The winds followed several consecutive days of record high temperatures. This combined with ongoing drought conditions to create an extremely critical fire weather situation over a large part of the Southern High Plains. A large wildfire was ignited by downed power lines in Hockley County. The fire destroyed one residence and injured three people. Two of the injured were fire fighters engaged in battling the blaze. The winds were indirectly responsible for another fire that destroyed a residence in Lubbock County where a large outdoor cooker was blown over. Damage estimates for the event total $250,000.

High Wind in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 15-APR-06 09:30:00 to 15-APR-06 13:55:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 52 MG
Property damage: 20K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Strong to severe westerly winds and blowing dust again affected the South Plains region of west Texas on the 15th. The winds combined with ongoing drought conditions and a period of record heat to result in an extremely high fire danger and at least two large fires.  Winds on the 15th were generally sustained in the 25 to 35 MPH range, but two severe wind gusts up to 60 MPH were measured by the West Texas Mesonet. Damaging winds downed power lines in Hockley County. A Buffalo Springs home and a nearby vehicle were destroyed by a raging wind blown fire when an outdoor cooker was damaged by the winds in Lubbock County. No injuries were reported. Measured severe wind gusts follow:Brownfield (Terry County).....60 MPHSlaton (Lubbock County)........59 MPH

High Wind in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 15-APR-06 09:30:00 to 15-APR-06 13:55:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 51 MG
Property damage: 130K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Strong to severe westerly winds and blowing dust again affected the South Plains region of west Texas on the 15th. The winds combined with ongoing drought conditions and a period of record heat to result in an extremely high fire danger and at least two large fires.  Winds on the 15th were generally sustained in the 25 to 35 MPH range, but two severe wind gusts up to 60 MPH were measured by the West Texas Mesonet. Damaging winds downed power lines in Hockley County. A Buffalo Springs home and a nearby vehicle were destroyed by a raging wind blown fire when an outdoor cooker was damaged by the winds in Lubbock County. No injuries were reported. Measured severe wind gusts follow:Brownfield (Terry County).....60 MPHSlaton (Lubbock County)........59 MPH

High Wind in TERRY, TEXAS
From 15-APR-06 09:30:00 to 15-APR-06 13:55:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 52 MG
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Strong to severe westerly winds and blowing dust again affected the South Plains region of west Texas on the 15th. The winds combined with ongoing drought conditions and a period of record heat to result in an extremely high fire danger and at least two large fires.  Winds on the 15th were generally sustained in the 25 to 35 MPH range, but two severe wind gusts up to 60 MPH were measured by the West Texas Mesonet. Damaging winds downed power lines in Hockley County. A Buffalo Springs home and a nearby vehicle were destroyed by a raging wind blown fire when an outdoor cooker was damaged by the winds in Lubbock County. No injuries were reported. Measured severe wind gusts follow:Brownfield (Terry County).....60 MPHSlaton (Lubbock County)........59 MPH

Wildfire in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 15-APR-06 09:30:00 to 15-APR-06 13:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 100K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA

Damaging winds downed power lines near Levelland during the morning hours of the 15th. The downed lines sparked a dangerous wind-driven wildfire that scorched a path one half mile wide and five miles in length through the landscape south of the city. The 1,300 acre fire destroyed a trailer home. One resident was evacuated from the area and suffered smoke inhalation related injuries. Two firefighters additionally received minor injuries while battling the blaze.