Cold snap brings wildfire concerns to region

From Texas Forest Service

Dec. 30, 2004 - State fire control leaders remind everyone that good fire safety will be needed to prevent an increase in wildfires during the colder winter months, now that hard freezes have sent grass, weeds and other vegetation into dormancy. Blowing sparks and embers, or irresponsible fireworks use, could lead to wildfires if dry weather prevails.

Though autumn rains brought abundant moisture and the ground may still be damp or wet in many areas, windblown sparks or embers could ignite frost-cured grasses which lose moisture quickly during periods of dry, windy weather.

Most of Texas has fairly wet conditions, as evidenced by a drought index map posted on the Internet by the Texas Forest Service (TFS). The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) map shows most of the state with a KBDI value of 200 or less, which, during the growing season, corresponds pretty closely with wildfire danger.

During the winter, though, a low KBDI index does not necessarily indicate correspondingly low fire danger, according to Tom Spencer, fire risk assessment coordinator for the Texas Forest Service.

"KBDI is closely tied to soil moisture and temperature," said Spencer. "Across most of Texas now, soil moisture is high, but dormant vegetation gets its moisture from the air. Thus, during dry, windy, winter weather, vegetation can dry enough to allow grass and other fine fuels to be ignited by sparks or burning embers."

Cured grasses are already flammable in many areas, including northeast Texas. Wildfires are possible, and, indeed, are occurring. Texas Forest Service fire crews in northeast Texas battled 23 fires that scorched 1,041 acres in Anderson, Bowie, Cass, Franklin, Henderson, Morris, Panola, Red River, Smith, Upshur and Wood counties. TFS dispatchers Wayne Shew in Linden and Gerry Haverland in Henderson said that area fire departments fought many other fires without TFS assistance.

Increased attention to wildfire safety is warranted, particularly if drying conditions persist. Careless burning of household trash, leaves and brush piles causes most East Texas wildfires, so area residents need to be cautious with these activities near dead grass and weeds according to TFS.

"The public needs to become aware that except for winter grasses which stay green during the winter, all other grasses are cured," Shew stated. "Any time we get dry, windy conditions like our area (has) experienced, people don't need to be doing any outdoor burning. They're just asking for trouble."

The Linden dispatcher also expressed concern for the possible impact of colder weather by week's end. Some people are going to use their fireplace ashes and wood stoves when it gets cold, and some will undoubtedly clean out the ashes and dump them outdoors, said Shew. Those who dump ashes need to be very sure that all the ashes and embers are cold to the touch before disposal. Winds can fan and re-ignite hot embers, with potentially disastrous results, he added.

Holiday fireworks use should also be kept away from dormant grasses, which could be ignited by sparks or hot fireworks residues.

TFS officials urged people to help keep the area free from wildfires, so firefighters will also be able to celebrate the holidays at home with their families.