Texas Wildfires Span Over 1,100 Acres

Wildfire crews with the Texas Forest Service responded to six wildfires that spanned 1,124 acres over the weekend. Over the last week, however, 50 wildfires affected 20,670 acres of Texas land. In response, fire managers with the Texas Forest Services are using aircraft in many of the inaccessible parts of the state, such as Type I helicopters and single-engine airtankers (SEATs).

Wildfire Outlook

The weather is not cooperating with the firefighting efforts. The Texas Forest Service states:

“…Confidence is low at this time because there is a deepening upper air trough over the desert Southwest that is not consistent with ‘Outbreak’ models. Still, other solutions indicate a dry zone from the Trans Pecos to the Panhandle, with relative humidity at 10 to 15 percent and wind speeds in the 25 to 35 mph range. The fastest winds aloft will occur in the Panhandle, while the driest air will be over the Trans Pecos and western Permian Basin, possibly keeping the ‘Outbreak’ scenario at bay. In any case, thick, dry vegetation is ripe for ignition across the entire western half of the state, and even moderate winds could rapidly push fires out of control…”

Wildfire Preparation

If your home or business is in the path of a wildfire, follow the safety instructions provided by emergency personnel. Prepare an emergency disaster kit and evacuate the area if necessary.