AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Since Friday, the Texas A&M Forest Service has responded to 25 wildland fires burning across Texas. As a result of the current weather conditions and climate, the Texas A&M Forest Service has elevated the fire danger risk to Level 3 in terms of preparedness.
“We’ve been seeing a large uptick in wildfire activity throughout the state and were seeing a little bit of drought come into some areas, which is also affecting the fuels, making them more volatile,” says Juan Rodriguez, wildland urban interface coordinator for Texas A&M Forest Service.
What does the Level 3 mean for the public?
“Really, it’s just a planning and preparedness of assumption that would be put in place,” said Rodriguez. “This way, we know what our staffing needs are and what we’re going off of is the wildfire activity, current and expected.”
“In the seasons whenever we’re transitioning from summer to winter, this is when we see a lot of fires in our wintertime,” said Jonathan Stevens, assistant fire chief for Potter County Fire & Rescue. “The transition of the grasses, they start to die and even though it’s cool outside and the moisture feels like it’s in the air, the fuel moisture is still available in the fuel, and it will burn.”
Texas A&M Forest Service has mobilized additional resources and equipment to certain parts of the Texas Panhandle that are prone to wildland fires.
The agency is reminding anyone who is planning to operate equipment that can spark, such as welding and or weed whackers, to make sure they have an ample supply of water in proximity.
Be sure to check the winds before you ignite anything outdoors.