COLLEGE STATION (WBAP/KLIF News) – The Texas A & M Forest Service is urging residents to be careful amid the holiday season as much of the state is at risk for increased potential for wildfires.
The department said the region is approaching dry cold fronts and high temperatures that will expand dry fuel conditions north from the southern Hill Country into the Rolling Plains, Southern High Plains, eastern Hill Country and Cross Timbers.
“Most wildfires this time of year occur just before or just after a frontal passage,” said Brad Smith, Texas A&M Forest Service Predictive Services Department Head.”These fronts often pass through with little precipitation, but they do bring increased wind before and after the front passes. These increased winds can help to spread fire in a landscape that is full of freeze-cured grasses.”
However, the department urging Texans outside those regions to be cautious, especially this time of year when the trappings of the Christmas holiday could turn into a fire hazard.
In Texas, a large number of human-caused wildfires are due to the careless burning of debris including the unsafe burning of wrapping paper, gift boxes and Christmas trees after the holidays.
Texas A&M encourages residents who bought a real Christmas tree to first chip or chop the tree into small pieces and use them as compost.
Instead of tossing wrapping paper and ribbons, try to save them to use next year.
The department also urges residents to pay attention to their county’s burn bans and avoid all outdoor burning until conditions improve.
Burn ban information can be found by contacting local fire departments or by visiting https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/TexasBurnBans/.
Click here for more information.
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