March 17, 2018
— CHILDRESS, Texas — Higher-end critical wildfire conditions will be present
over portions of Western Texas and the Panhandle tomorrow, March 18. There is a
high probability of significant wildfire outbreak or a weather phenomenon
called a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak.
The areas of
concern include Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, Childress, Midland/Odessa and Wichita
Falls.
“With these conditions
wildfires can spread rapidly, present control issues for firefighters and pose
a real threat to public safety,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief Mark
Stanford. “The Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreaks can be extremely dangerous if
a wildfire occurs, it is important that you heed any wildfire warnings from
local officials.”
Increased fire
activity is a concern due to expected sustained wind speeds greater than 35 mph
combining with above normal seasonal temperatures, low relative humidity and a
dry line — a boundary that separates moist air mass from dry air — forming over
the region.
Follow your
local meteorologist or the National Weather Service for weather updates.
Texas A&M
Forest Service is monitoring the situation closely and is working with local
response departments as we preposition state resources, along with continued
staffing of Single Engine Air Tanker bases in Amarillo, Abilene and Fort
Stockton and a heavy jet air tanker is staged in Oklahoma. The Texas
Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System has been activated.
- With high fire
danger, caution should be used with any outdoor activity that may cause a
spark. It only takes one spark to start a wildfire.
- Postpone outdoor
burning until conditions improve.
- Avoid parking and
idling in tall, dry grass. Catalytic converters can get hot enough to
ignite the grass under a vehicle.
- Avoid setting hot
chainsaws or other hot, gas-powered equipment in dry grass.
- Wildfires burning
in grass can spread and grow extremely fast. It is important that if you
spot a wildfire you report it immediately to local authorities. A quick
response can help save lives and property.
Visit tfsweb.tamu.edu/currentsituation,or
follow @allhazardstfs on
Twitter for Texas wildfire information.
###
Texas A&M Forest Service Contacts:
Mary Leathers,
Public Information Officer, 979-218-3030, mleathers@tfs.tamu.edu
Phillip
Truitt, State Public Information Officer, 979-255-0591, ptruitt@tfs.tamu.edu
Texas A&M Forest
Service Communications Office, 979-458-6606; newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu