Texas A&M Forest Service issues warnings due to unseasonably warm and dry conditions
Texas A&M Forest Service warns that unseasonably warm and dry conditions combined with freeze-cured grasses could spark more wildfires during the holidays.
Texas is forecast to experience unusually warm and dry weather during this holiday season. These conditions can quickly dry vegetation and may support an increased number of wildfires. If strong winds and critical fire weather occur, these fires could grow large and be difficult to control. “We have seen above-normal grass production across large areas of Texas, especially near Abilene, Wichita Falls, Lubbock, Childress and Amarillo,” said Luke Kanclerz, Texas A&M Forest Service Predictive Services Department Head. “These grasses are now dormant and freeze-cured, which means they dry quickly and can support wildfire activity when wind speeds increase.” Be cautious with any activity that could spark a wildfire this holiday season. Approximately 90 percent of wildfires in Texas are caused by people and their activities, and during the winter holidays, debris burning and equipment use account for nearly 70 percent of them.
