Fire Dangers Are On The Rise

East Texas fire officials say the entire area is ripe for wildfires.  There’s only a very slim chance of rain forecast for at least another week and officials are checking every aspect of current fire danger. A very wet late spring-early summer has contributed to the fire danger by creating more vegetation – which is potential fuel for wildfires.

Dove Season Opening Brings New Fire Danger to Texas Wildlands

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — With hunting season upon us, many Texans are headed to hunting leases and other open areas across the state.

This influx of people into natural environments means a more significant potential for human-caused wildfires.

“We know that 90% of wildfires in Texas are human-caused,” said Melanie Karns, Texas A&M Forest Service Hazard Mitigation Coordinator. “And this time of year brings more people outdoors, which can increase fire starts from escaped campfires, parking on dry grass and chains dragging the road.”

Texas A&M Forest Service advises hunters to pay particular attention to the many common causes of wildfires related to outdoor activities: 

When the fire danger is extreme, hunters should avoid using jacketed bullets, tracer rounds, and high-velocity ammunition. If target shooting, use areas free of dry vegetation and don’t use targets that may throw sparks or hot fragments, like steel or rocks.

Avoid driving over and parking on dry grass because the heat from your vehicle can easily ignite it. Always be ready to put out a fire should one start. Have a shovel and water with you in camp and have a fire extinguisher with you at all times.

Each county in Texas sets and lifts their own burn bans. Make sure you know your county’s burn ban status and if it restricts open flames and other heat-causing activities such as using charcoal.

When using a cooking fire or campfire, never leave it unattended. Always make sure it is completely out by drowning it, stirring and feeling to ensure that it is out cold before you go.

If you are taking a trailer out on your adventures, do the following. Make sure that the tires are correctly inflated, chains will not contact the road, and that any loose metal will not continually hit anything else. All of these can cause sparks.

For information on preventing wildfires, please visit

https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/PreventWildfire/.

 

Increased Wildfire Potential Across West and Central Texas This Weekend

 

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – This weekend significant wildfire potential will increase across West and Central Texas as temperatures remain near 100 degrees and wind speeds increase to 10 to 15 mph. Due to the emerging drought, hot temperatures and limited rainfall this week, cured grasses and brush are highly receptive to ignitions and burning. 

Texas A&M Forest Service is monitoring the situation and forecasts probable wildfire activity from Saturday through Monday. The highest potential is likely to occur Sunday when winds speeds are most elevated. 

“The combination of hot temperatures, emerging drought, and increased wind speeds will make new fires more difficult to control,” said Luke Kanclerz, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Analyst. 

A large area of Central and West Texas could be impacted. The rural areas around Childress, Abilene, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, Del Rio, San Angelo, and Wichita Falls will have the most significant potential. 

As of Sept. 5, 161 counties are under burn bans. Burn bans are put in place by a county judge or county commissioner when drought and weather conditions exist that make outdoor burning unsafe. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages residents even in counties that are not under a burn ban to refrain from any outdoor burning until conditions improve.