Texas A&M Forest Service firefighting resources are prepared to respond to wildfires as a cold front moves into the state this week.
Wildfire risk will be moderate in the Valley for the next two days, with the exception of western Hidalgo County and Starr County, where the risk is rated high for Thursday.
The area around Rio Grande City is rated very high for Thursday.
On Friday, conditions will improve across the Valley to a moderate fire risk as winds associated with the front coming through Thursday diminish.
High temperatures Friday will be in the 60s.
Most of the concern for wildfire activity is around the cities of Amarillo, Childress, Lubbock, San Angelo, Wichita Falls, Abilene and Eastland, forest service officials say.
“Dry, dormant grasses will be exposed to elevated or critical fire weather and well above normal temperatures ahead of an approaching cold front,” said Luke Kanclerz, Texas A&M Forest Service fire analyst. “The risk of significant fires that are highly resistant to control is expected to be limited due to the lack of critically dry fuel and less grass observed across the West Texas landscape.”
Last year, grass production was limited during the growing season as a result of the drought and from livestock grazing. Below normal grass production may limit wildfire growth and aid firefighters in keeping wildfires small.
On Thursday, the potential for wildfire activity is expected to shift south and east as the cold front exits the state.
Elevated fire weather following the front, combined with dry, dormant grasses, may support increased wildfire potential for communities near Waco, San Antonio, Austin, Victoria, Kingsville and the Valley from Brownsville to Rio Grande City.
The threat for large, significant fires will remain low for these areas.
Since Jan. 1 of this year, state and local firefighters have responded to 27 wildfires, which burned 97 acres across the state.
Texas A&M Forest Service encourages the public to avoid outdoor activities that may cause a spark while dry and windy conditions are present.
