This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune , a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. LUBBOCK, Texas — Spring rains have revived much of the green grass covering stretches of plains in the Texas Panhandle — the same land that, just three months ago, was black from fire and ash after wildfires burned more than 1 million acres across the region. The land is slowly healing from its scars.
And yet, the devastation still haunts those who call the Panhandle home. “The lands recover faster than the people,” said Janet Guthrie a Canadian resident who raises cattle in Hemphill County. ALSO READ: What Trump's weird WWE Hall of Fame speech tells us about his presidential debate strategy Guthrie is one case of survivor’s guilt that echoes through the northern Panhandle as residents in the rural region continue to rebuild their lives after several fires raged in late February and early March.
Her pasture burned, along with part of her yard, while many of her neighbors lost more, she said. In total, two people were killed, as well as more than 10,000 cattle. Scores of homes, ranches and other personal property were destroyed.
The losses may exceed $1 billion, a figure that includes $123 million in agricultural losses and $35 million worth of lost homes in Hemphill County. As summer nears, the mentality among residents is largely one of self-mitigation �.
