Luke Kanclerz, department head of predictive services of the Texas A&M Forest Service, says the state has two fire seasons.
"During the wintertime, everything is dormant from being freeze-cured from generally a hard freeze, and usually the big trigger is the wind along, ahead and after a cold front that drives the fire currents during the winter months," he explains. "That's why we see some of our biggest fires occur out in the western half of the state, because of the more grass dominance."
Those fuels, he says, do not require as much drying.
"The second period, and really, it's more of the peak when we have most of our fires, generally occurs for the eastern two-thirds of the state. That's more from the summer drying that we see," Kanclerz notes. "We don't have as much wind, thankfully."
Wildfire response begins with local fire departments, but he says there are times when a blaze becomes too big or too difficult to control.
"They'll request state assistance, particularly through the Texas A&M Forest Service," Kanclerz relays. "From there, we'll often send ground resources, the bulldozer or a tractor plow is another term that you'll hear. We have some motor graders across the state as well that go, and we'll build in the containment line."
Aircraft are used on fires that are especially difficult to control.
According to the state agency within the Texas A&M University System that is responsible for protecting and managing Texas' forests and natural resources, nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by people.
This summer, Texas saw its largest summer wildfire since detailed statewide wildfire records began in 2005. The Ross Fire, which burned over 90,000 acres in North Texas, was determined to have been caused by humans.
