NEWS
Wildfire activity possible for multiple areas of state
COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Texas A&M Forest Service fire analysts warn of wildfire activity, including the potential for significant wildfires, through Friday in the Western Pineywoods, Southeast and Central Texas.
While Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Florida and the national wildland fire preparedness level has decreased to a 2, wildfire activity has steadily increased over the past two weeks in Texas.
As the lack of rainfall and high temperatures have dried surface vegetation, Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters have responded to 65 wildfires over the past week, whereas the agency responded to just six wildfires during the first week of the month.
“The 2022 fire season has been significant for the state of Texas, as state and local firefighters have responded to more than 9,800 wildfires,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “The state received beneficial rainfall mid- to late-August, which helped to significantly slow the operational tempo for wildland firefighters. However, the benefits of that moisture have started to wane, and we are, once again, observing dry conditions across the state that is resulting in increased wildfire activity.”
Very dry conditions following the weekend’s cold front have resulted in accelerated drying of vegetation across large portions of the state this week.
Multiple days of relative humidity values below 25% will result in widespread critically to extremely dry surface fuel in the eastern half of the state by the end of the week. Wind speeds are forecast to increase to 10-15 mph out of the northeast and, when combined with dry vegetation, will support wildfire growth.
There is potential for significant wildfires where pine and yaupon fuels are present in the Western Pineywoods, Southeast and Central Texas. Historically, these high-risk fuels have produced high impact or significant wildfires that threaten public safety and property. Any ignitions that occur may also be resistant to firefighters’ suppression efforts.
By the weekend, the Texas Panhandle may also experience increased wildfire activity in areas where cured grasses are present. Below normal rainfall amounts, low relative humidity and elevated wind speeds will support wildfire activity.
Texas A&M Forest Service is dedicated to protecting the citizens and natural resources of Texas from wildfire, and the agency has strategically positioned personnel and equipment across areas of concern for a quick response.
In Texas, nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by human activity, which means that most wildfires could be prevented by taking simple actions.
“It is important that all residents take care to prevent wildfires while conditions are windy and dry,” said Karen Stafford, Texas A&M Forest Service Prevention Program Coordinator. “Consider waiting to conduct any outdoor burning or lighting campfires until conditions improve. Even if your county does not have a burn ban in place, we encourage everyone to be cautious with any activity that may cause a spark.”
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, read the Texas Fire Potential Outlook at https://bit.ly/3kemhbG.
As the final days for early voting were ticking away Montague County Elections Administrator Ginger Wall said there had been a strong turnout with 12% of registered voters casting ballots for the May 4 Bowie and Forestburg Independent School District Bond elections.
The final day for early voting ended at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Going into the final day there were a total of 1,088 early voters for the bond elections.
On election day May 4 polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at three locations: Bowie Senior Citizens Center, Forestburg ISD Library and Sunset City Hall. Voters can cast ballots at any of the three locations and remember your photo identification.
Bowie ISD is asking voters to reconsider a $65.8 million bond issue, they defeated last November 1,079 to 855. Board members indicated they felt all the needs were still there and they needed to get more information out to the voters.
In the plans there would be a new intermediate school built, and the present intermediate would be renovated to accommodate junior high students that would be moved from their present building.
A weight room would be added at the high school, which did not include one when it was built and a restroom at the baseball/softball fields. Parking would be expanded at the front of the elementary school and a new bus route flow established around the building to alleviate traffic issues.
Forestburg ISD is asking voters to consider a pair of propositions. Proposition A is $4.1 million and centers on a new classroom addition to the high school adding rooms and restrooms, storm shelter and a new roof.
Proposition B at $2.1 million would be for a new eight-lane track, bleacher system and press box with full handicap accessibility and new field with 24/7 public access.
A Saturday night incident involving a sheriff’s deputy trying to detain a female suspect resisting arrest and attempting to take his weapon lead to minor injuries for both.
Shortly after 8 p.m. April 27, Deputy Chandon Heugatter, after responding to a complaint by Kim Hill, served her neighbor Amanda May Hill with a criminal trespass warning for her to stay off their property.
Kim Hill lives at 125 Michigan, while Amanda Hill lives at 307 Front Street, both are neighbors in the Sunset area. Chief Deputy Jack Lawson said the original complaint was Amanda Hill was breaking into their storage sheds and “trashing the property.”
It lead to a confrontation between Amanda Hill as the officer tried to talk with her and then arrest her as she ran back to her house and would not follow his commands to stop.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Spring thunderstorms and tornadic activity during the weekend caused significant damage in nearby southern Oklahoma cities of Marietta and Sulphur, and while flood warnings were issued for Montague County there were no reports of significant damage in the area.
Flood watch and warnings for the northern part of the county went up Saturday night, but there were no warnings issued for the City of Bowie. Kirk Higgins, emergency management coordinator, said there were no hyperlink warnings set out Saturday and he is unaware of any storm-related damage.
There also were reports of text messages being sent out that only stated “Shelter in place,” with no explanation or attribution. Higgins said he is unaware of any such warnings and the possibly bogus messages if real would have included some explanation.
With the official kickoff of summer a little more than a month away at the end of May, local lakes will go into the summer season strong.
Lake Amon G. Carter reached 100% at 920.51 mean sea level as of April 29. Just one month ago it was at 85.65% full at 918.03 msl, and it remained stable just dropping to 84% six months ago. One year ago it was just shy of full at 97.8% or 919.71 msl.
Read the full story on the local lakes in the mid-week Bowie News.
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