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Tuesday, February 9, 2010 |
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Lingering drought ignites wildfire threat
Published May 28, 2006
SEGUIN — The Memorial Day weekend may signal the start of summer, but for fire officials, it spells the start of another busy wildfire season.
Dry conditions have sparked concern from the state’s leadership, and only months ago, these same threats came to fruition.
“Some areas of the state have grasses turing green where rain has occurred,” said Tom Spencer, fire risk assessment coordinator with the Texas Forest Service. “However, we are also seeing the transition.”
Since Dec. 1, 2005, firefighters have responded to 1,873 fires that scorched 1.3 million acres and claimed 19 lives.
State officials are watching several areas of the state, including regions of the Panhandle and areas of Southeast Texas.
Some areas of west Texas are experiencing regular wildfire activity.
This week’s wildfire at Devil’s Canyon in Jeff Davis County burned 4,000 acres.
Guadalupe County also had its share of wildfires since the county agreed two weeks ago to allow weekend burning on private property — a time when volunteer fire departments are fully staffed.
The weekend of May 13 marked the first time county residents were allowed to burn since a ban was imposed in July 2005.
Sheriff’s department dispatchers received 1,200 calls related to outdoor burning that first weekend.
Only 17 of those fires got out of control and required the assistance of volunteer firefighters.
However, Guadalupe County Emergency Management Coordinator Dan Kinsey said dry conditions are fueling concerns of more fires.
Friday afternoon, several fires were reported along Interstate 10, between the 596 and the 603 mile markers.
While that was most likely caused by a spark from a chain dragged behind a semi-truck, Kinsey said people should still be very careful when it comes to any kind of fire.
Kinsey, who provides drought index information to volunteer fire departments and county commissioners, said if the drought index keeps going up, the court may have to reconsider the outdoor burn ban.
“I checked the drought index and it’s at about 576,” Kinsey said.
The Texas Forest Service recommends a ban on outdoor burning if the drought index is at 500 or above.
“It’s going back up,” Kinsey said. “It’s not dramatically high, but if it keeps going back up we’ll have to look at putting the burn ban back on full time. Of course the commissioners court makes that decision, not me.”
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