NEWS
Forest service warns of elevated fire danger this week in Texas
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The potential for wildfire activity increases this week as cold fronts are forecast to impact the state.
Today, temperatures near 70 degrees, wind speeds over 30 mph and relative humidity values below 20 percent will support wildfire activity in grasses and fine fuels near San Angelo, Abilene, Childress, Lubbock and Midland. Moisture levels in vegetation across these regions should help firefighters keep wildfires relatively small.
By Thursday, post-frontal conditions will become established across the state. Underlying dryness and dormant grasses combined with relative humidity values near 20 percent and northerly winds forecast over 20 mph will support wildfire activity in South Texas near Del Rio, Alice, Kingsville, McAllen and Laredo.
During the dormant fire season, which occurs during winter and spring, freeze-cured grasses across the state and increased wind speeds surrounding dry cold fronts support wildfire activity. The state generally experiences increased wildfire activity mid-February through mid-April during the dormant season.
Texas A&M Forest Service has responded to 38 wildfires for 1,272 acres burned across the state since the beginning of the year.
“As the lead state agency for wildfire response, our analysts and fire managers continuously assess and monitor conditions statewide,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “Even as we engage in response activities to support our partners and local jurisdictions impacted by Winter Storm Mara, we have personnel positioned across areas of concern that are prepared to respond to any new wildfire ignition.”
In addition to wildfire response, Texas A&M Forest Service is tasked with supporting all-hazard emergency response across the state.
Since Jan. 1, 147 Texas A&M Forest Service personnel have responded to all-hazard incidents across Texas, including Winter Storm Mara and the Deer Park/Pasadena tornado.
“The employees of this agency continue to selflessly serve the state of Texas every single day,” said Moorehead. “Whether it is responding to wildfire activity or supporting statewide response to all-hazard incidents, our personnel embody the service mission of the Texas A&M Forest Service.”
For current conditions and wildfire outlook, visit the Texas Fire Potential Outlook https://bit.ly/3kemhbG.
The Department of Public Safety has provided information on an auto vs. motorcycle accident that reportedly occurred on July 4.
James Lee Hilton, Nocona, was driving a 2019 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and Daniel Parra, Chico, was driving a 2018 Ford Fiesta. Both vehicles were north on State Highway 101 outside Sunset with the motorcycle behind the car.
Parra was attempting to turn left on Farm-to-Market Road 2265 when the motorcyclist attempted to unsafely pass to the left states the report. The bike struck the left side of the Fiesta. Both vehicles came to rest off the roadway on the northwest corner of SH 101 and FM 2265.
Hilton was transported to Denton Medical City with
A major crash on East Wise in front of the Second Monday parking on July 11 shut down traffic for several hours in the morning and sent two people to the Bowie emergency room.
The accident occurred at 9:53 a.m. Thursday at 1616 E. Wise involving a large sign installation truck and an SUV.
Briana Rollison, Bowie, was driving a 2001 Ford Expedition east in the 1600 block of E. Wise and the large truck from Turner Signs System of Richland Hills was traveling west on East Wise driven by Joshua Thompson.
The preliminary accident report states Thompson lost control of the vehicle crossing the double yellow line striking the SUV in front of the Parker Properties and Farm Services Building. The SUV was knocked into the ditch and later made it back on the roadway.
The truck rolled on the passenger side and slid about 50-100 feet west of the incident location. Skid marks from the truck were observed to start approximately 300-350 feet east of the crash location.
See the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Bowie City Councilors this week got their first look at the 2024-25 proposed budget seeing a balanced plan with a total operational budget of $23,296,885 in expenses, which is a little more than $1.4 million above the previous year’s budget.
Mayor Gaylynn Burris said Monday night the budget looks “eerily familiar” to last year, despite adding a few equipment purchases. City Manager Bert Cunningham said he had already slashed more than $300,000 from the department requests in order to get a balanced budget.
The utility fund is balanced with expenses of $12,595,995 and revenues projected at $12,601,000. In the general fund revenues are projected at $10,705,568 with expenses at $10,700,890. Total budget expenses are $23,296,885 and overall revenue projected at $23,306,568. Cunningham said it leaves a small margin to set forth a balanced budget.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo: New chip and seal was laid on Elba and Lamb this week repairing well-worn roads near the Nelson/Mill drainage project. (Photo by Barbara Green)
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