Nov. 9, 2015 — AMARILLO, Texas —The West Texas Plains is on
alert Tuesday and Wednesday as a dry front moves over abundant, dry grasses
increasing the potential for wildfires.
According to the
National Weather Service, a dry cold front will approach and cross the West
Texas Plains over the next two days bringing strong winds in advance of and
following the frontal passage. Affected areas include Amarillo, Lubbock and
Midland.
These forecast weather conditions are categorized as
elevated to critical by the National Weather Service. When such conditions are
present over cured or dried grasses, like what is present across the Plains, the
potential for wildfires increases.
“The cured grasses we’re
beginning to see across the Plains—and across the state—provide a receptive fuel
bed in which wildland fires can easily ignite and spread,” Texas A&M Forest
Service Fire Analyst Brad Smith said. “And with the elevated fire weather
conditions we could see some increased fire activity over the next few
days.”
According to Smith, above normal spring and summer
rainfall has produced a thick carpet of grass across the Western Plains. The
transition from fall to winter is currently underway and recent freezes have
begun to cure this exceptional crop of grass.
Texas A&M
Forest Service encourages vigilance and preventative measures against
human-caused wildfires.
Postpone outdoor burning until conditions
improve.
If conducting outdoor welding, have a spotter and wet
down the area prior to welding or cutting.
Do not park your
vehicle or sit idle in an area where vegetation can come in contact with the hot
catalytic convertor.
When pulling trailers or boats make sure
tow chains are not dragging.
Report any suspicious activity to
authorities immediately. Wildland arson is a crime.
For more
information, visit http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ridge2/fire/ or http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/CurrentSituation/.
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Brad Smith, Wildland Fire
Analyst
979-220-1398, bsmith@tfs.tamu.edu
Phillip Truitt, Wildland
Urban Interface Specialist
325-236-3236, ptruitt@tfs.tamu.edu
TFS Communications
Office
979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu