Perry asks Texans to pray for rain

DALLAS, April 22 (UPI) -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry is asking Texans to pray for rain in the fight against wildfires that have burned more than 1.8 million acres and killed several people.

In an official proclamation posted on the governor's Web site Wednesday asking people to pray to the god of their choice, Perry said firefighters need all the help they can get to douse the many still-uncontained blazes.

Perry, calling for three days of prayer, from Friday through Sunday, said in the proclamation: "I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers … for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal and robust way of life."

So far this fire season, Texas has recorded more than 8,000 fires that have destroyed about 400 homes. There are about 1,940 firefighters from 36 states trying to put out the blazes, the state Forest Service said on its Web site. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity helped firefighters Thursday.