CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a ‘Red Flag Warning’ on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. due to low humidity levels and strong winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph in the coastal bend.
NWS reported that a red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly.
The combination of dry air, low humidity, and strong winds can cause any fires that ignite to spread rapidly, prompting officials to strongly discourage outdoor burning.
On Tuesday, firefighters prepare for the heightened fire danger, they urge South Texans to be cautious with everyday activities that could cause a spark. That includes, but is not limited to, pulling over onto grass, flicking a cigarette butt, grilling with charcoal or wood, or mowing dry lawns.
The Gregory Volunteer Fire Department, along with the Taft Volunteer Fire Department, tackled a fire at the Gregory Cotton gin, but were quickly able to put the fire out due to the wind. Both departments successfully prevented the fire from spreading to the nearby fields. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Fire officials in Corpus Christi emphasize that it takes a community effort to prevent wildfires from spreading. Still, local fire departments and members of the Texas A&M Forest Service are ready to respond if fires ignite.
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