Texas Forest Service and federal land management agency crews have responded to more than 760 wildfires this summer that have scorched a total of 56,910 acres, the Texas Cooperative Extension says.

"If an accurate total of volunteer fire department (-fought) fires and acres were included, the statewide fire and acreage totals would undoubtedly be considerably higher," said Mahlon Hammetter of Lufkin, a Forest Service fire prevention specialist

The fire hazard is up because of the heat and lack of rain.

"Baked by almost unrelenting summer heat, vegetation quickly became stressed for moisture," Hammetter said.

"In many areas, grasses and weeds became cured and fire-prone."

The number of fires tops the count last year, when conditions were cooler and wetter, but so far is less than in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 Hammetter said.

"Most wildfires are caused by people and their actions," he said.

"Most (wildfires) are preventable if everyone will do their part to keep fire safety as a top priority," he said.