Tarrant County officials encourage residents in rural areas to keep roughly 30 feet of vegetation around homes and outbuilding mowed to prevent a fire from reaching their property.
David Woo/Staff Photographer
Wildfire risk is expected to increase across North Texas this week, as the region heads into another prolonged stretch of hot, dry weather.
Several counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are forecast to see a higher fire risk this week, with conditions worsening into Wednesday, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The increased risk comes as persistent heat and a lack of meaningful rain dry out vegetation and grass areas across North Texas, creating conditions that allow fires to start and spread more easily.
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Related: Firefighters still at scene of 4-alarm fire that sent black smoke over SW Dallas County
When will wildfire danger be highest in North Texas?
Laura Stevens, Texas A&M Forest Service public information officer, said the agency uses a variety of equipment and systems to predict and monitor Texas’ wildfire potential.
Texas is currently designated by the Texas A&M Forest Service at a Preparedness Level 3, meaning wildfire activity is impacting several areas of the state due to drought, dry vegetation or frequent fire events.
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The Texas Weather Connection, in partnership with the Texas A&M Forest Service, also forecasts the state’s fire danger using five categories, including low, moderate, high, very high and extreme.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is forecast to see high fire danger Tuesday. By Wednesday, most of North Texas is forecast to see very high fire danger.
North Texans can also view their area’s immediate risk using the forest service’s wildfire risk explorer.
Stevens said when a local fire department needs assistance, it usually starts by reaching out to nearby departments for mutual aid before requesting assistance from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Since Friday, the forest service received 38 requests for assistance on wildfires burning nearly 6,000 acres, according to its website.
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With drought conditions developing across North Texas this month, Stevens said residents should be aware dry vegetation can increase the potential for fires to spread and make containing small fires more difficult.
Related: A drought is developing across North Texas. What could it mean for farms and livestock?
What should I do to avoid starting a wildfire?
Residents should check local restrictions before burning anything outdoors and avoid activities that could send sparks into dry grass or vegetation, including burning debris, leaving a campfire unattended or tossing lit cigarettes on the ground.
Tarrant County officials encourage residents in rural areas to keep roughly 30 feet of vegetation around homes and outbuildings mowed to prevent a fire from reaching their property.
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If you see a wildfire, Stevens said to call 911 immediately and provide first responders with an accurate location.
Related: Wildfire threats are rising across North Texas. Here’s how to avoid starting one
Last week, the region was under an elevated fire threat primarily due to the increased wind speeds and dry, hot weather.
Although winds have relatively slowed, the prolonged dry stretch will continue to impact wildfire threat levels in North Texas until the region sees significant rainfall.