This graphic provided by the Texas A&M Agrilife Research team illustrates how fire risks have increased this week and are expected to be at very high to extreme levels on Thursday in the Rio Grande Valley. (Courtesy of Texas A&M Agrilife Research)
Extreme heat, dry conditions and plenty of wind could spark tragedy in the coming days, experts advise.
In light of the extreme conditions and outlook, the National Weather Service in Brownsville upgraded the Rio Grande Valley’s wildfire outlook Wednesday.
A red-flag warning will be in effect from 1 to 8 p.m. today. A fire weather watch is also in effect for Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Additional fire weather concerns will continue into next week, forecasters warned.
“Record to near record high temperatures are expected across most of Deep South Texas, with high temperatures of 99 to 103 degrees across much of the Rio Grande Valley,” the NWS reported early Wednesday. “Heat Index values will range from 100 to 105 degrees.”
The fire and heat warning concerns all of the Valley and extends into the broader Deep South Texas region, excluding areas along the immediate coast.
Although Wednesday began with coastal area fogs and little to no wind, forecasters expect wind conditions across the region will strengthen in the afternoon. The forecast predicts breezy conditions as moderate northerly winds arrive and humidity values ranging from 10 to 25% — with percentages in the teens for most locations — add to wildfire concerns Wednesday.
Burning of any kind should be avoided this week, officials said.
Typically, most outdoor fires in the Valley are started by downed power lines or by small fires, such as rural trash burns, started by residents that got out of their control, Brownsville Fire Chief Jarrett Sheldon said.
Area counties have issued burn bans that apply to all residents. “I think we are in day five of it,” Sheldon said.
Further, fire departments are ensuring firefighters and equipment are ready to respond across the region as needed.
“That’s always been our take. We are always here to assist any other city or area in the Valley,” Sheldon said. “Any type of emergency outdoors can really affect our personnel right now with the heat we are expecting today, so we are making sure we have the right necessities to ensure that have a good rehab set up for our firefighters in they have to go to an extended emergency outside.
“It’s as simple as ice chests and water and making sure we have the right resources.”
A wet winter in the Valley allowed brush and grasses to explode in growth, but with dry and hot conditions, that growth has left dry fuel for fires, Sheldon warned.
“That’s more fuel for the fire,” he added.
Nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by people, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
“This Thursday will be an especially critical day for fire potential (across South Texas and Rio Grande Valley),” said Heather Gonzales, program specialist II-prevention for the Texas A&M Forest Service.
At least for residents in the South Texas region, wildfires are not as well understood as hurricanes, Gonzales said. “We know what to do for a hurricane, but how do we prepare for wildfires? So, we are talking to people about how to make defensible space around their home, what they can do to clean up the area around their home, and creating an evacuation plan and evacuation kits.
“Because wildfires can spread very quickly, especially under critical fire condition days like we are expecting,” Gonzales said. “Sometimes you do have to grab what you need and evacuate very quickly.”
The South Texas Wildfire Prevention Education Team, which shares wildfire prevention and preparedness information with the public, has plans to visit the Rio Grande Valley as early as this weekend or early next week.
“Due to South Texas experiencing an increase in wildfire activity and expected elevated to critical fire weather conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service has extended the presence of the Fire Prevention Education Team in South Texas,” Gonzales said. “The potential for wildfire activity is expected to increase of the next several days. We want to prepare the public on the need for long-term awareness of wildfire ignition hazards and planning.”
If requested, the Texas A&M Forest Service has resources allocated to the Rio Grande Valley for this period to help local fire agencies. In Edinburg, the service has placed one bulldozer and seven fire engines, including five designated as Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) engines. In Hebronville, allocations include a helicopter. Additionally, there are five TIFMAS engines placed in Kingsville.
Statewide on Tuesday, the greatest wildfire risks were near Amarillo, Lubbock, Childress, Sweetwater, San Angelo and Ozona where grasses are critically dry, the Texas A&M Forest Service said, adding that conditions were expected to worsen Wednesday in South Texas “where critically dry to extremely dry fuel will be exposed to above normal temperatures and critical fire weather.”
Expert said that creating defensible space around your home allows for low intensity, slow-burning conditions in the event of a wildfire.
Texas A&M Forest Service encouraged Texans to take the following steps around their homes today to reduce the risk of wildfire:
- Within the first 30 feet of your home, use non-flammable landscaping materials. Within the first five feet, water plants, trees and mulch regularly, and consider xeriscaping if you are affected by water restrictions.
- A healthy, well-maintained landscape is important to the survival of homes during a wildfire. Make sure your plants are carefully spaced, low growing and free of resins, oils and waxes that burn easily.
- Remove dead vegetation from under the deck of your home and within 10 feet of the house.
- Prune your trees so that low-hanging branches do not touch the ground.
