September 15, 2000

Texas fire danger extreme

With several major fires raging in East Texas Sept. 7, and many smaller fires breaking out daily across the state, Texas Forest Service (TFS) officials remind agricultural producers that high heat and dry weather have contributed to “extreme” fire danger conditions across Texas.

“The fire danger is very extreme probably over 95 percent of the state,” said TFS Fire Prevention Specialist Mahlon Hammetter.

A persistent fire in Nacogdoches County had burned for over two weeks while a major fire in Newton County had burned about 6,500 acres by Sept. 7.

Other major fires burned across East and Central Texas, officials said, taxing resources and volunteers of local fire departments. Fire crews from Western states have been brought in to help.

“Fire departments have been responding day after day to these fires and we’re supplementing their actions and bringing additional personnel here,” Hammetter said. “But these temperatures, they ran up to 105 to 110 degrees every day for a week and are really putting stress on the firefighting resources.”

TFS officials advised farmers and ranchers to take several precautions against starting wildfires. They include the following:

• Obey burn bans...177 Texas counties have instituted bans against outside burning.

• Do not use spark producing equipment around vegetation. Do not park vehicles in high grass (catalytic convertors cause fires!).

• Dispose of smoking materials properly.

• Carry a fire extinguisher.

• Call 9-1-1 to report fires. Leave firefighting to the professionals.