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Texas A&M Forest Service mobilizes for potential wildfire activities

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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.

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First official day of fall arrives Saturday

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Welcome fall! The official start of fall is Sept. 23 with the autumnal equinox. Not only do temperatures drop, but plant life slows down and so do we.
During an equinox, the Sun crosses the “celestial equator”—an imaginary extension of Earth’s equator line into space. The equinox occurs precisely when the Sun’s center passes through this line.
After the autumnal equinox, days become shorter than nights as the Sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier. This ends with the winter solstice, after which days start to grow longer once again.

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BISD bond proposal webpages go live

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By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Bowie Independent School District Trustees got their first look at the bond proposal page on the district website and handled a brief agenda of business.
The board went into an executive session to discuss a salary addendum for Superintendent Blake Enlow. Earlier this summer trustees conducted the superintendent’s evaluation, but any salary changes usually come after the salary schedule is finalized. Any change to his contract also has to be done as an addendum.
After a 10-minute discussion in closed session the board voted back in open session to give the superintendent the same 2% raise as the rest of the non-step employees.
In his report, Enlow directed the board to the district webpage at bowieisd.net, where citizens can click the bond tab at the top of the page to access detailed information on the $65.8 million bond proposal.

Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.

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Wheels & Grills fires up BBQ in Nocona

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Cookers mop their barbecued chicken pieces for the Wheels & Grills contest Saturday.
The Ray Walker Memorial Cornhole Tournament was part of the Wheels & Grills activities Saturday in Nocona. Cornhole proceeds support scholarships for local youth. (Photo by Barbara Green)
Folks enjoyed the Nocona Gas Junkies Car Show during the Wheels & Grills events Saturday. (Photo by Barbara Green)
Competitors at the motorcycle and car show hoped to win one of these trophies. (Photo by Barbara Green)
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