Central Texans should prepare for dangerous fire conditions Sunday as high winds and bone-dry air will create an environment for wildfires.
The pristine blue skies over Austin this week are hiding a brewing threat as we head into the weekend. Forecasters at KVUE have issued a Weather Impact Alert for Sunday, March 15, due to a combination of environmental factors that could turn a single spark into a major blaze. While the warmth might feel like a welcome invitation to get outside, the weather setup is looking increasingly hostile for anything involving a flame or a spark.
The primary concern stems from a powerful wind event set to peak Sunday evening. By 8 p.m., much of the region will be buffeted by gusts ranging from 35 to 40 mph. Places like Giddings and San Marcos are expected to see some of the strongest activity, with gusts hitting 43 mph and 41 mph respectively. Even in the heart of Austin, the air will be moving at a brisk 37 mph, more than enough to fan the flames of any small grass fire and carry embers over long distances. Additionally, portions in the Hill Country could experience wind gusts close to 50 mph.
Adding fuel to the fire risk is a drastic drop in relative humidity. By Sunday evening, moisture levels in the air will plummet into the single digits and teens for many of our western counties. Fredericksburg is forecast to hit a staggering 7% humidity, while Blanco and Georgetown will hover around 10%. When the air is this dry, vegetation like grass and brush becomes brittle and highly flammable, essentially acting as kindling for the entire Hill Country.
Because of these factors, the fire outlook for Sunday has been upgraded to “Extreme” for a massive swath of Central Texas, including Austin, Georgetown, Burnet, and Fredericksburg. Other areas like Bastrop and San Marcos remain under a “Very High” risk. Local officials are urging residents to avoid any outdoor burning and to be extremely cautious with equipment that could cause sparks, such as lawnmowers on dry grass or dragging trailer chains on the highway.
We have seen how quickly these conditions can escalate in the past, and with dry soils already in place, the margin for error is razor-thin. It is a day to stay vigilant, keep the grill closed, and ensure that any cigarette butts are disposed of properly. We will continue to monitor the wind speeds and humidity levels throughout the weekend to keep you updated on the latest safety information.