March 28, 2016 —
AMARILLO, Texas — Critical fire weather conditions will be present over the
Texas Plains region Tuesday and Wednesday.
The National
Weather Service Storm Prediction
Center has
issued an alert putting far western portions of the state in the “critical” and
“elevated” categories for wildfire potential.
The areas of
concern are Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Fort Stockton and El Paso regions.
“Considering the large fires we have
recently seen in the area, caution is advised for any outdoor activity that
could lead to accidental fire starts,” said Tom Spencer, predictive services
department head.
Increased fire
activity is a concern due to sustained wind speeds of 25 to 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.
Texas A&M
Forest is responding to potential fire danger by prepositioning state resources,
working with local response departments and monitoring the situation closely.
Vigilance and
preventative measures are encouraged against wildfires cause by people.
Postpone
outdoor burning until conditions improve.
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.
Dispose of smoking materials properly.
Extinguish them in an ash tray. Don’t throw them out of a window.
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.
For more
information, visit the Texas Interagency
Coordination Center
website.
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Texas A&M
Forest Service Contacts:
Mylea Lovell;
Wildland Urban Interface Specialist; 806-500-1199; mlovell@tfs.tamu.edu
TFS Communications Office;
979-458-6606; newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu