NEWS
Wildfire danger escalates with no rain, high winds
Wildfire activity across the state is expected to increase this winter and spring as above-normal levels of vegetation dry and become highly flammable, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The dormant wildfire season, which occurs during winter and spring, is typically characterized by fire activity in freeze-cured grasses and by increased wind speeds associated with passing dry cold fronts.
Above-normal grass growth across much of Texas in 2025 creates increased wildfire potential into early spring 2026.
Areas west of Interstate 35, including the High Plains, Rolling Plains and South Plains, have heavy grass loads that could support large, hard-to-control fires under dry, windy conditions. Exceptional grass loads in the Hill Country and Cross Timbers regions pose similar risks, while South Texas and the Lower Gulf Coast remain lower threat until grasses freeze-cure.
Above normal wildfire activity
Texas A&M Forest Service wildfire response has trended 136% above normal from October through mid-January, with agency personnel responding to 434 wildfires that burned 11,425 acres during this period.
“Wildfire activity has increased across the state, driven by underlying drought conditions and above-normal grass production from last year’s growing season,” said Jared Karns, Texas A&M Forest Service fire chief. “With a La Niña climate pattern forecasted, Texas is expected to experience more conditions that favor increased wildfire activity.”
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center forecasts a La Niña pattern for early 2026, bringing warmer and drier-than-normal conditions to much of Texas from January through March. These conditions are expected to increase wildfire risk during the dormant fire season.
“We are closely monitoring the increased likelihood of wildfire effective weather in Texas, including conditions associated with Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreaks,” said Luke Kanclerz, Texas A&M Forest Service Predictive Services Department head. “These outbreak events have historically resulted in multiple large, high-impact wildfires that can be difficult to contain and are an immediate threat to public and firefighter safety.”
Stay wildfire aware to reduce human-caused fires
Since 2005, wildfires that ignite under Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak conditions represent only 3% of reported wildfires but have accounted for 49% of the total acres burned. Under these conditions, grasses dry rapidly and become highly flammable, where even a small spark can ignite a wildfire that spreads rapidly.
Nine out of 10 wildfires in Texas are human-caused. Texas residents are encouraged to stay wildfire aware. Avoid outdoor activities that could spark a wildfire during warm, dry and windy conditions. If a wildfire is spotted, contact local authorities immediately. A quick response can help save lives and property. To stay up-to-date, get the current wildfire situation in Texas or get the current fire environment conditions and fire potential on the weekly Texas Fire Potential Update. Also available is the 2026 Dormant Fire Season Outlook.
Texas Forest Service fire photo
The number 13 is widely considered unlucky, so much so that certain buildings do not list a thirteenth floor. It’s hard to avoid 13 when it makes up a day each and every month, and even more so when the 13th falls on a Friday.
Every year people are treated to at least one Friday the 13th on the Gregorian calendar, but some years there can be as many as three such days. It is difficult to pinpoint when superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th first came to be, but it may have something to do with Christianity.
The New York Historical Society says the unlucky connotations may be traced back to The Last Supper. In attendance were 13 people: Jesus as well as his 12 apostles (one of whom betrayed him). The following day (Friday) Jesus was crucified. Superstitions cropped up among Christians that a table of 13 “courted death” and that having 13 people around a table or in a group was unlucky, according to the BBC.
The number 12 often is seen as a sign of completion. The 12 months of the year, 12 zodiac signs, 12 apostles, 12 days of Christmas, and 12 gods of Olympus perhaps bolster that reputation. That belief may have given rise to foods being sold in multiples of 12, as in a dozen doughnuts. Thirteen is then incomplete.
Friday also has a reputation for being unlucky. It was said to be the day Eve gave Adam the apple from the Tree of Knowledge as well as the day Cain killed his brother, Abel.
The Christian connection is not the only potential source of superstition surrounding the unlucky nature of 13. History.com says the ancient Code of Hammurabi reportedly omitted a 13th law from its list of legal rules. Also, National Public Radio says the Knights Templar were condemned on a Friday the 13th.
Although there are many past examples of when Friday and the number 13 have been linked to potential bad luck, word of mouth also may have contributed to this unfortunate relationship. Things have a tendency to be misremembered, which is known as the “Mandela Effect.” It is possible someone misremembered or incorrectly indicated that Friday the 13th was unlucky, and then it has since been remembered that way.
Thirteen is not always considered unlucky. Prior to World War I, the French traditionally considered 13 a lucky number. In Italy, 13 was the lucky number in football pools. The Italian expression “fare tredici” meant “to hit the jackpot” and is translated as “make thirteen.” Also, Colgate University has long considered 13 a lucky number, as the school was founded by 13 men with 13 dollars, 13 prayers and 13 articles.
Friday the 13th next falls in December 2024, potentially leaving the superstitious on edge.
Reconstruction of the southbound main lanes of U.S. 287/US 81 from Fruitland Rd. to
the Montague/Wise County Line is scheduled to begin on Feb. 16. Traffic will be reduced to one lane while contractors rebuild the other lane. Entrance and exit ramps will be closed in various stages of construction. Message boards will be placed in advance of the
closures to notify the public of specific closures. Construction is scheduled to last until July 2027.
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