NEWS
Dry conditions, heat sparking wildfires
Continued hot and dry conditions across much of the state have resulted in increased wildfire activity, particularly in north central Texas and in areas along the Interstate-35 corridor. Conditions conducive for wildfires are expanding north and east into higher population centers, including the Interstate-45 corridor as well.
If a wildfire is spotted, immediately contact local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property.
For frequent wildfire and incident updates, follow the Texas A&M Forest Service incident information Twitter account.
Environment conducive for wildfires
Consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures across much of the state has accelerated the drying in wildland vegetation and created a conducive environment for the ignition and spread of wildfires.
“We are seeing a significant increase in wildfire occurrence that coincides with the current streak of 100-degree days,” said Brad Smith, Texas A&M Forest Service predictive services department head. “Many of these wildfires are starting late in the day, or early evening, when we observe daily peak heating and an increase in gusty winds.”
A cold front that is forecasted to move into the state early next week will likely end the streak of 100-degree days. However, the front is not expected to provide enough rainfall to improve the vegetative dryness that is supporting wildfire activity.
For current conditions and wildfire outlook, check out the Texas Fire Potential Outlook.
Fires burned 5,483 Texas acres this week; many fires preventable
Over the past seven days, state and local resources have responded to 94 fires that burned 5,483 acres. This includes large, multi-day fires such as the still-smoldering Pennington Creek Fire in Palo Pinto and Jack counties, which has burned 2,654 acres and is 95% contained. Activity in Central Texas increased this week with new fires in Brown, Mills, Caldwell, Williamson, and Bastrop counties.
Many recent wildfires have been attributed to preventable human activities such as debris burning. In 2020 so far, debris burning has caused 902 wildfires, which burned 10,994 acres. This includes 16 fires that have burned 104 acres over the past week.
Be alert, recent uptick in phone scams. Scammers are contacting people and falsely claiming to be law enforcement officers, alleging the individuals they contact face immediate arrest unless they provide payment in some form (i.e. gift cards, cash transfers, etc.).
Key Points:
* The Montague County Sheriff’s Office never solicits payments over the phone to resolve legal issues. Any communication requesting such payment is fraudulent.
* Scam Tactics: Scammers often use convincing language and may even impersonate real Deputies/ Officer’s or use spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate.
* Protect Yourself: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a Deputy or representative of law enforcement demanding payment, do not comply. Instead, hang up immediately and contact the Montague County Sheriff’s Office directly to verify the call’s authenticity.
* Vigilance is Key: Stay vigilant and cautious when answering unsolicited phone calls. Never provide personal or financial information to unknown callers. Discuss this warning with family members, especially seniors, who may be more vulnerable to these scams.
The Montague County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting our community from fraud and scams. By staying informed and exercising caution, we can collectively combat these deceptive practices and prevent financial loss.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Bowie Police Department
Bowie Police also reported a possible warrant phone scam and posted this message on its Facebook page earlier in the week.
An individual contacted the Bowie Police Department and advised that he had received a phone call from one of our officers. The conversation stated that a warrant was obtained for his arrest and he needed to turn himself into the Montague County Sheriff’s office. This department has not been calling individuals and advising them of warrants. If you receive a call, contact us at 940-872-2251 to confirm if the call is legitimate.
Calling all Montague County clubs, organization and community groups, if you would like to have a brief on your non-profit group included in the 2025 Montague County Visitor’s and Newcomer’s Guide free of charge please submit it to editor@bowienewsonline.com. Deadline is June 6. Please include i.e , regular meeting dates, locations, time, dues, and contact phone or email. Don’t miss an opportunity to be in this award winning publication.
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