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Last week, on June 13, Texas A&M Forest Service responded to assist on the McDaniel Fire in Coke County, northwest of San Angelo. Extreme fire behavior–including multiple days with short crown runs and short-range spotting–coupled with topography challenges, wildland urban-interface and the remote location made the fire a challenge to contain and control.

Drought conditions in the western Plains and early drying across the state have led to an increase in wildfire activity and an early start to the summer wildfire season.

VAN ALSTYNE, Texas – Van Alstyne Volunteer Fire Department accepted a $197,000 cost share grant fromthe Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. Thegrant was used to help purchase a 2019 brush truck. “Our department is very pleased to have this up-to-date brush truck to help us better serve our […]

CHEROKEE, Texas – Thanks to a $200,000 grant and community support Cherokee Volunteer FireDepartment purchased a new 2019 brush truck. The cost share grant was through the Rural Volunteer FireDepartment Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. “With summer fire season fast approaching, we appreciate having a new addition to our fleet to help […]

BISHOP, Texas – Nueces County ESD #3 converted an excess military truck thanks to the Department of DefenseFirefighter Property Program and a grant for a slip-on unit through the Rural Volunteer Fire DepartmentAssistance Program, both administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. “Our department did all of the work to complete the conversion of this truck,” […]

The Garwood Volunteer Fire Department accepted a $200,000 cost share grant from the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. The grant helped purchase a pumper/tanker that has a 3,000-gallon water capacity and self-contained foam system. “This new apparatus can carry a large quantity of water as well as draft […]

Texas A&M Forest Service, local fire officials and fire departments are advising the public to be aware of the continued drying conditions in Bell, McLennan, Coryell and Hill county regions that can contribute to rapidly growing wildfires.

Wildfire potential will increase this weekend and into the middle of next week across West Texas, including areas around Abilene, Childress, Lubbock and Amarillo.

The presence of the deadly emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed May 19, 2020 in Denton and Bowie Counties. EAB has infested and killed ash trees in both counties, soon adding them to the list of Texas jurisdictions to be placed under the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) wood transportation quarantine on EAB.

Burn bans are set by county judges and/or county commissioners’ courts as an important preventative measure to protect Texans from wildfires. When conditions are hot, dry, and windy, fires can spread very easily. Prohibiting outdoor burning helps mitigate that risk. Texas A&M Forest produces a statewide burn map daily based on information received from the […]