A strong cold front passing through the central portion of the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas during the mid and late afternoon of March 18th brought a combination of wind gusts in excess of 50 mph, falling humidity into the teens, and rapid drying to already drought-affected short-term fuels.  These conditions, combined with falling live power lines and other sparking material, produced a number of significant wild fires across Jim Hogg, Brooks, Hidalgo, and Starr Counties between the afternoon of the 18th and the afternoon of the 19th.
In total, aerial and ground surveys suggested that at least 40,000 acres may have burned in total, with at least 25,000 of those related to the Burns Ranch blaze which stretched from the border of Starr, Brooks, and Jim Hogg County east-southeast into southern Brooks and Hidalgo County, with the smoke plume extending into Willacy County. Infrared satellite imagery initially pinpointed the hot spots soon after ignition; Doppler Radar was able to capture the plume from the Burns Ranch Fire into the evening of the 18th.

Wildfire in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 18-MAR-08 15:00:00 to 19-MAR-08 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The Burns Ranch Fire, which began along the four county line of Jim Hogg, Starr, Brooks, and Hidalgo County, rapidly spread through an estimated 25,600 acres of extreme southern and southwestern Brooks County within hours of onset, becoming what would be the most significant wild fire for Deep South Texas of the 2008 season. Severe damage to a summer mansion on the ranch was noted in follow-up reports. The fire forced closure of Federal Highway 281 between Farm-to-Market (FM) Road 490 and FM 755 through most of the night of the 18th.

Wildfire in HIDALGO, TEXAS
From 18-MAR-08 15:00:00 to 19-MAR-08 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The Burns Ranch Fire, with origins in extreme southwest Brooks County, spread rapidly southeast into extreme northern Hidalgo County by late afternoon on March 18th, eventually crossing Federal Highway 281 and continuing toward Willacy County.  The fire threatened residences in rural northern Hidalgo County, resulting in the evacuation of at least 200 persons.  In addition, four buildings were destroyed in these areas.
Livestock damage was also noted, in the form of 50 head of cattle killed by the blaze, with perhaps hundreds others sustaining injuries. Dozens of volunteer fire departments aided the containment effort, which continued into the 19th and 20th as some locations rekindled briefly.

Wildfire in STARR, TEXAS
From 18-MAR-08 15:00:00 to 19-MAR-08 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The Texas Forest service reported a wildfire burned approximately 800 acres 6 miles Southeast of La Gloria in Starr County, not too far from the initiation point of the Burns Ranch Fire near the four corner border of Brooks, Hidalgo, and Jim Hogg County. Additional data on this particular fire was unavailable at the time of this writing.

Wildfire in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 18-MAR-08 17:00:00 to 18-MAR-08 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

A 1500 acre fire on State Highway 281 developed as a possible offshoot of the Burns Ranch Fire and threatened ten homes and numerous outbuildings, resulting in some self evacuation. The Texas Department of Transportation responded with three maintainers, and the fire was assumed to be contained late in the evening.

Wildfire in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 19-MAR-08 10:00:00 to 20-MAR-08 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The Encino Fire, which began during the morning of the 19th when north winds ratcheted up above 25 mph and humidity remained near or just below 35 percent, quickly grew to 2525 acres during the day in an area located near Lucero Rd on the east side of Federal Highway 281.  The fire destroyed one outbuilding. Resources worked a back burn to control the fire, and two helicopter tankers provided air support. Numerous fire departments from Brooks, Hidalgo, and neighboring counties aided the containment and control effort. One firefighter was treated for minor injuries due to smoke inhalation at the scene, but soon was released.

Wildfire in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 18-MAR-08 15:00:00 to 18-MAR-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The Sordito Fire, another large fire ignited during the mid afternoon on March 18th, burned an unknown number of acreage in northern Brooks County near State Highway 285 and Brooks County Road 214 west of Falfurrias. The fire was contained, but not without threatening five structures, which were saved by the rapid response teams.

Wildfire in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 18-MAR-08 14:00:00 to 18-MAR-08 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 15.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

An explosively developing wild fire just northwest of Hebbronville, along State Highway 359, quickly blossomed to 10,000 acres, fed by strong wind gusts which may have exceeded 60 mph in some spots according to some accounts. Five homes were threatened and saved, but one barn was damaged.  The Dana Fire was eventually contained during the evening. Local ranchers evacuated livestock and the Jim Hogg Sheriff���s Office issued a voluntary evacuation order. Numerous fire departments from Jim Hogg, Kleberg, Jim Wells, and Webb County, among others, responded.