AUSTIN (KXAN) — Across the city, Austin fire stations turned the dial from High to Extreme on wildfire risk signs near the street Wednesday. Fire risk reached its highest level as high winds, low humidity and plants nearing dormancy put the city on edge.
“We respond to over 100 grass fires throughout the year,” said Jonathan Wright, a wildfire mitigation specialist with Austin Fire.
Wright said that a small ember from dragging chains or a tossed-out cigarette butt is all it would take to start an inferno. “You don’t need flames going directly up to your front door in order for a structure to burn,” said Walter Flocke, fire analyst with Texas A&M Forest Service. He said that fire is a natural part of Texas.
The National Weather Service declared a Fire Weather Watch for the area on Wednesday due to conditions. “There’s a lot of ingredients that go into forecasting fire potential,” said Flocke.
“Our grasses, our brush species, some of our tree species, they’re just very susceptible to fire,” he said.
The Texas Forest Service’s wildfire risk explorer exposes this susceptibility. In Austin, higher risk areas are typically west of MoPac Expressway. Though, on Wednesday, due to weather conditions, east Austin is at a greater risk.
“The close proximity and density of some of the buildings and structures on the east side. That’s a big concern as well,” Wright said.
Wright advises people to clean up debris around their homes. AFD asks that locals take these steps during an Extreme Fire Danger.
- Properly dispose of smoking material
- Use extreme caution if cooking/grilling outdoors
- If towing a trailer, make sure chains are not dragging on the ground
- Avoid hot work (welding, cutting, soldering, brazing, and grinding)
- Clear debris from gutters, roof, and under decks
AFD offers a service where they can come evaluate your home’s wildfire risk. You can sign up on AFD’s website for the service.
This year, more than 11,000 acres have burned in wildfires across Central Texas, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Thirty-nine fires have burned across the 15-county KXAN viewing area, as of Oct. 24.
KXAN tracks all this data and more. You can learn more about local wildfires in the KXAN Data Hub.
Travis County Burn Ban
A burn ban is in effect in Travis County until the county’s commissioners decide to lift it.
Travis County launched a new alert system through Warn Central Texas that messages people when a burn ban has been put in place.
To sign up, text: TCBURNBAN to 888777.
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