NEWS
Wildfire activity forecast to increase through the weekend
Wildfire activity is forecast to increase along and west of I-35 and into South Texas through the weekend, according to Texas A&M Forest Service personnel.
Wildfire activity is forecast to increase through the weekend. (Texas A&M Forest Service photo)
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 March 12, state and local resources have responded to 70 wildfires that have burned 15,274 acres across the state.
Texas A&M Forest Service is monitoring the current situation closely and has positioned personnel and equipment across areas of concern.
Resources staged across the state
“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 for wildfire response 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.
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 for wildfire incident support.
Texas A&M Forest Service reminds the public to “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 at https://bit.ly/3kemhbG.
Early voting for the Bowie and Forestburg Independent School District bond elections begins April 22 at one central location at the Bowie Senior Citizens Center.
Early voting will be April 22-26, and April 29-30, all from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is only one location for early voting for both elections.
On the May 4 election day the polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at these locations: Bowie Senior Citizen Center, Forestburg ISD library and Sunset City Hall.
Voters can cast ballots at any of these locations due to countywide voting.
Bowie ISD is asking voters to reconsider a $65.8 million bond issue, that was defeated in November 1,079 to 855, a shortfall of 224 voters.
There will be two town hall meetings this week where the superintendent will discuss the bond proposal on April 24 from noon to 1 p.m at the administration office, 404 E. Williams, and 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the junior high school.
Read more on the upcoming elections and the proposed bonds in the weekend Bowie News.
More than a dozen men, believed to be illegal aliens who were being trafficked, fled from a traffic stop at the edge of the Montague and Clay County line early Wednesday morning.
As of Friday seven of the men who ran away from the van had been captured. The search for the men began at 1:05 a.m. April 17 when a Clay County Deputy made a traffic stop in the Bellevue area at U.S. 287 north of Tyson Road. The sheriff’s office announced approximately 11 to 14 suspected illegal aliens immediately fled out of the vehicle on foot into the surrounding countryside when the stop was made.
After a day long search seven were apprehended and the investigation indicates the men may have been taken for human trafficking. They had no ID, no money, no personal items and a couple had no shows.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Members of the Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on April 22 facing a relatively brief agenda lead off by the city manager’s report.
Bert Cunningham, manager, will offer his report on the following topics: Nelson Street project; sewer line project and phase two of sewer line bid opening; Texas Department of Agriculture; Strategic Government Resources Muni Purchasing Group; Resilient Communities program planning grant; downtown revitalization grant and substation improvements.
The only new business is a replat request recommendation for the area at 805 Hulme will be presented by the planning and zoning commission and the reappointment of seven members to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals.
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