As reported previously by AFN, the Texas A&M Forest Service says the state of Texas has two fire seasons — one in the late winter and one in the summer.
As the transition from summer to falls continues, They warn that the peak of most fires that occur in the eastern two-thirds of Texas normally happen during the wintertime period, triggered by wind after everything has been dormant from being frozen.
Fire-potential updates are provided every week or as needed in times of heightened fire potential by the forest service.
Luke Kanclerz, department head of predictive services for the Texas A&M Forest Service, says the fire environment consists because of the fuel types.
“But more importantly, you talk about the vegetation moisture. That fuel moisture is really important in terms of if the fuels are available to burn or if they are not,” Kanclerz says.
He explains how they track that.
“… through a network of weather stations, some that are owned by the state and some with our federal partners. Those weather observations from those specific weather stations go into what’s called the National Fire Danger Rating System. Basically, it's a calculator that uses different indices to provide us a level of risk for fire potential,” Kanclerz states.
He talks about some of the things they monitor — what kind of weather produces fires and, particularly, with what level of fuel moisture.
“That’s always a moving target because if our fuel moisture changes, the requirement of the fire weather — particularly the temperature, the wind and the relative humidity — that also can kind of dictate the volume of fires that we may go to or dictate how difficult of control the fire may be on a given day,” Kanclerz says.
Texas A&M Forest Service has wildfire resources for homeowners, farm and ranch owners and communities, especially how to make an evacuation plan. There is also information on what to do after a wildfire comes through an area.
