Drought conditions continued across north Texas as precipitation deficits increased.  This month, all of north Texas was classified in either extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) as classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor.  Every county in north Texas was eligible for federal disaster relief due to the drought.  The weather continued to be unseasonable warm.  The average high temperature this January was 68.3 degrees, a full 14.2 degrees above normal.  This figure broke an 83-year-old record.  Wildfires continued to be a major problem in January, with a burn ban in place in every county.  A quarter of a million acres burned across Texas in the first half of the month, more than during all of 2005.  The ongoing drought combined with strong winds and low humidities to create a volatile fire situation in Texas.  On New Year's Day, several devastating wildfires erupted across north Texas.  Forty homes were destroyed in Montague County as a 17-mile long fire burned between Ringgold and Nocona.  Another grass fire in Johnson County burned 13 buildings and charred 1,800 acres.  In Eastland County, a fire encompassing more than 35,000 acres forced the evacuations of several communities and destroyed the city of Kokomo.  Thirty-six buildings were lost in the fire.  Several firefighters and civilians suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and heat exhaustion due to the fires.Hydrological and agricultural impacts worsened over the past month due to the lack of rainfall.  Most water reservoirs across north Texas were 60% to 85% of normal capacity.  Several lakes across the region were 10 to 15 feet below normal pool elevation.  The North Texas Municipal Water District implemented watering restrictions earlier than normal this year due to the lowering lake levels.  Watering restrictions were also in effect on a voluntary basis in some cities. The Texas Cooperative Extension estimated agricultural losses for north Texas to be close to $1 billion in January.  Only half of the state's hay crop was fit for harvesting, and hay prices were three to four times their normal price.  Many other crops failed to grow at all.  Agricultural groups appealed for federal grants to aid the cattle industry.  One emergency measure considered by the federal government included providing cash to ranchers to offset high feed costs and losses due to the drought and wildfires. A drought summit was held in San Antonio to discuss the crisis. The drought was also affecting wildlife in north Texas.  The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife reported an overall decline in habitat conditions, and noted that the lack of green plants would affect the survival rate of certain animals.

Drought in TARRANT, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DALLAS, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ROCKWALL, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in KAUFMAN, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in VAN ZANDT, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in EASTLAND, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COMANCHE, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ERATH, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MONTAGUE, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Crop damage: 1B
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COOKE, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in GRAYSON, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FANNIN, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LAMAR, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in YOUNG, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in JACK, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in WISE, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DENTON, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COLLIN, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DELTA, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HOPKINS, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HUNT, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LIMESTONE, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HOOD, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in SOMERVELL, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in JOHNSON, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ELLIS, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MILLS, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HAMILTON, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in BOSQUE, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HILL, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in NAVARRO, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HENDERSON, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LAMPASAS, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CORYELL, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MCLENNAN, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in STEPHENS, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in PALO PINTO, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in PARKER, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in BELL, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FALLS, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FREESTONE, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ANDERSON, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MILAM, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ROBERTSON, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LEON, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in RAINS, TEXAS
From 01-JAN-06 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.