UPDATE: December 14, 2021 @ 9:45 a.m.
Significant fire activity is predicted for Wednesday, December 15 in the Texas panhandle due to critically dry fuels and critical to extreme fire weather. This significant fire activity is likely and a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak is possible. This rare, high impact wildfire phenomenon is similar to Santa Ana winds and can impact parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. For more information on Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreaks, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/SPWO/.
Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters, alongside state, federal and local first responders assisted with 14 wildfires for 13,986 acres since Friday. For current fire activity across the state, visit https://public.tfswildfires.com/.
December 13, 2021
COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Texas A&M Forest Service is opening the Abilene Airtanker Base at the Abilene Regional Airport to assist with potential wildfire activity this week.
The two large airtankers arriving in state on Tuesday will be a regional resource, supporting suppression efforts in Oklahoma and Texas as requested. Additionally, one air attack platform and three single engine air tankers are currently prepositioned in Childress for response.
Wildfire concerns will continue this week as elevated fire weather will combine with critically dry fuels to produce low to moderate potential for the Panhandle and West Texas on Monday and Tuesday.
Fire potential will increase on Wednesday with the approach of a strong upper level system. A fire environment that includes extremely dry fuels, strong winds and well above normal temperatures will create moderate to high significant fire potential generally north of Interstate 40 in the Panhandle.
Similar conditions produced an environment supportive of significant fire activity last week. On Friday, state, federal and local firefighters responded to several large fires exhibiting extreme fire behavior including the 2,300-acre Electra Complex in Wichita County, the 3,607-acre Twin Creek Fire in Moore County and the 6,300-acre Arrowhead Fire in Clay County.
“The tremendous response effort exhibited over the past 72 hours included numerous agencies and local first responders,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Assistant Director. “This is truly what Texans helping Texans looks like.”
Texas A&M Forest Service has increased the number of equipment and agency personnel across areas of concern in the Panhandle and West Texas. Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Division of Emergency Management worked together to mobilize firefighters via the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) to provide wildfire incident support.
It is crucial that all residents take care to prevent wildfires and to be cautious of any outdoor activity that may cause a spark.
For current conditions and wildfire outlook, visit the Texas Fire Potential Outlook https://bit.ly/3kemhbG.
Texas A&M Forest Service does not own any aviation resources but instead uses federal aviation contracts through the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for all firefighting aircraft.
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Texas A&M Forest Service Contacts:
Information Officer - 979-255-0591, information@tfs.tamu.edu
Communications Office - 979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu