Jan 9, 2017— AMARILLO, Texas — Critical fire weather conditions will be
present over the Texas Panhandle and West Texas regions Wednesday with a small chance
of a weather-caused phenomena called a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued an alert putting western portions of the state in the
“critical” and “elevated” categories for wildfire potential.
The areas of concern are Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa,
Abilene, Fort Stockton, Wichita Falls, San Angelo and El Paso regions.
Increased fire activity is a concern due to sustained wind speeds of 25
to 35 mph combining with possible low relative humidity, above normal
temperatures and an increased amount of dormant grass in the region.
“If a fire should occur, expect it to move fast and burn hot,” said
Texas A&M Forest Service Predictive Services Department Head Tom Spencer.
“The increased amount of dried vegetation can make this be a very dangerous
situation.”
Texas A&M Forest Service is monitoring the situation closely and
will be working with local meteorologists, response departments and other state
agencies in the region should severe wildfire weather occur.
Even
without critical conditions, Wednesday’s weather will be prone to wildfires
being ignited by people engaging in everyday activities and thus may be
preventable. 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.
For more information, view the video the Southern Plans Wildfire Outbreak weather
conditions visit the Texas Interagency Coordination
Center website
or the Texas A&M Forest
Service Current Situation page.
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Contact:
Phillip
Truitt, Communications Specialist 979-255-0591, ptruitt@tfs.tamu.edu
Texas A&M Forest Service Communications Office; 979-458-6606; newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu