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There is a high probability of a significant wildfire outbreak in West Texas and the Panhandle Tuesday, April 17 with elevated to critical wildfire conditions present today.
The areas of concern include Amarillo, Ft. Stockton, and Midland/Odessa.
“With these conditions, wildfires can spread rapidly, present control issues for firefighters and pose a real threat to public safety,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief Mark Stanford. “The Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreaks can be extremely dangerous if a wildfire occurs, it is important that you heed any wildfire warnings from local officials.”
Increased fire activity is a concern due to expected high wind speeds combining with above average seasonal temperatures, low relative humidity and a dry line — a boundary that separates moist air mass from a dry air — forming over the region.
Follow your local meteorologist or the National Weather Service for weather updates.
Texas A&M Forest Service is monitoring the situation closely and is working with local response departments as we preposition state resources, along with continued staffing of Single Engine Air Tanker bases in Amarillo, Childress, Abilene and Fort Stockton as well as heavy jet air tankers staged in Abilene. We activated the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System.
With elevated fire danger, use caution with any outdoor activity that may cause a spark. It only takes one spark to start a wildfire.
Postpone outdoor burning until conditions improve.
Avoid parking and idling in tall, dry grass. Catalytic converters can get hot enough to ignite the grass under a vehicle.
Avoid setting hot chainsaws or other hot, gas-powered equipment in dry grass.
Wildfires burning in grass can spread and grow extremely fast. It is essential that if you spot a fire, you report it immediately to local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property.
Visit tfsweb.tamu.edu/currentsituation, or follow @allhazardstfs on Twitter for Texas wildfire information.