Grass fires erupted across several North Texas communities Thursday as triple-digit temperatures and gusty winds fueled dangerous fire conditions.
Fires were reported in Grand Prairie, Saginaw, and Payne Springs on Thursday, one day after a grass fire in Chico prompted the evacuation of an elementary school.
In Grand Prairie, a fire broke out Thursday afternoon in the median at Interstate 30 and Belt Line Road, sending smoke over the highway. The Grand Prairie Fire Department knocked down the blaze shortly after arriving.
In Saginaw, a large stretch of land near Highway 287 and Warehouse Way was scorched after a fire ignited in the area.
Emergency crews in Payne Springs, a Henderson County town south of Dallas, were battling a grass fire near Peach Tree Road that had spread to between 25 and 30 acres. County Road 2507 to County Road 2930 was closed after the fire burned an electrical pole, and firefighters requested help from the Texas A&M Forest Service to contain the blaze.
Payne Springs Fire reported several evacuations tied to the fire but no damage to structures. Drivers were asked to stay away from the area.
On Wednesday, flames were seen across the street from the Chico Elementary School field, scorching grass near the school’s parking lot. Students were moved to nearby Chico High School over concerns that smoke could enter the elementary school’s HVAC system.
Students returned once crews extinguished the fire. The blaze reignited later in the day, but responders still on scene put it out quickly.
Chico ISD is accepting water and sports drink donations for first responders through August 20.
Thursday was the 20th day of 100-degree temperatures in North Texas this year, matching the average count for a typical summer. Temperatures in the Dallas-Fort Worth area peaked near 102 degrees, with heat index readings as high as 106. Burn bans and excessive heat warnings were in place across multiple North Texas counties.
Temperatures on Friday are expected to reach 103 degrees, according to AccuWeather, with highs forecasted to hit triple digits every day for at least the next ten days.
Matt Ford of the Texas A&M Forest Service said that August is typically the hottest month and drives an increase in wildfire calls. Ford said nine out of 10 fires are caused by people.
“Almost 50% of our fires were from debris burning and equipment use, and it doesn’t take a whole lot, based on how dry our vegetation is, based on our modeling and our drought predictions,” Ford said, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
Wildfire trackers for the state of Texas can be found here as well as here.
Provided by Dallas Express
