COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Significant fire activity is forecast for Thursday, March 17 due to extremely critical fire weather conditions along and west of the I-35 corridor including Gainesville, Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, Abilene, Austin, San Antonio and Del Rio regions.

High winds with low humidity moving across dry grass fuel may result in wildfires highly resistant to control. Evacuations have been common under these conditions.

This significant fire protentional brings likelihood to a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak. This rare, high impact wildfire phenomenon is similar to Santa Ana winds and can impact parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

“Texas A&M Forest Service has been monitoring the fire environment and increased wildfire activity this week,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “The potential for significant, large wildfires has developed for tomorrow, Thursday, March 17. Wildfires that ignite under these forecast conditions are highly resistant to firefighters’ suppression efforts and pose a threat to public safety. We encourage residents to be cautious tomorrow, be prepared and listen to warnings from local officials.”

Texans are encouraged to make evacuation preparations in advance of the expected wildfire activity this weekend.

• Prepare multiple evacuation routes in case one is compromised by heavy smoke.
• Assemble a go-kit that can be grabbed easily and includes the following items: 
  • Supplies for both people and pets. Assemble a go-kit that can be grabbed easily and includes the following items:
• • Prescription medications or other necessary medical equipment.
  • Papers and important documents such as insurance and identification documents.
  • Personal needs including food, water, clothing, money and a first aid kit.
  • Priceless items such as photos, family heirlooms and any other irreplaceable or valuable items.

• Listen to local officials and, if necessary, evacuate early to get yourself out of harm’s way.

Stay wildfire aware. If a wildfire is spotted, immediately contact local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2022

Texas A&M Forest Service fire resources are mobilized as wildfire activity is forecast to increase through the weekend

COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Wildfire activity is forecast to increase along and west of I-35 and into South Texas through the weekend.

An abundance of extremely dry dormant grasses and intensifying drought may produce large wildfires that are difficult to control when exposed to periods of elevated to critical fire weather.

Since Saturday, state and local resources have responded to 70 wildfires that burned 15,274 acres across the state.

Texas A&M Forest Service is monitoring the current situation closely and has prepositioned personnel and equipment across areas of concern.

“The underlying drought conditions combined with winds associated with cold front passages has supported increased wildfire activity across the state this week,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “Conditions are not forecast to improve through the weekend, and the agency has strategically placed fire resources across the state for a quick and effective response.”

Fully staffed task forces and additional suppression equipment are staged in Alice, Amarillo, Beeville, Brownwood, Burkburnett, Childress, Edinburg, Fort Stockton, Fredericksburg, Lubbock, McGregor, Merkel, Mineral Wells, Pleasanton, San Angelo, Smithville and Victoria.

Additionally, fireline supervisors, command staff and incident commanders with advanced qualifications are strategically placed across the state to respond.

Aviation resources currently staged in state include two large airtankers, 12 single engine air tankers, four air attack platforms, three type 1 helicopters, two type 3 helicopters and one aerial supervision module are currently staged in state for wildfire response.

During periods of high fire activity, aviation resources are used to support suppression efforts on the ground, aiding in the protection of structures and other valuable resources. Aircraft responded to eight wildfires over the past week, assisting ground crews with a total of 66,000 gallons of water and retardant to slow forward progression of fires.

Texas A&M Forest Service has requested the mobilization of six strike teams via Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) for wildfire incident support.

Stay wildfire aware. If a wildfire is spotted, immediately contact local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property.

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

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