Threat of wildfire continues ... Loss prevention advice cited by officials

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

The eyes of Texans, and even their livestock, are likely looking for signs of wildfire during this severe-drought, high-fire-danger time. Ag producers and rural residents are cautioned against several outdoor activities, such as welding and smoking, and are advised to have an evacuation plan and store assets (such as hay) in separate areas. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

Jan. 12, 2006 - Rural residents’ fears of wildfire striking their property are reasonable as over a quarter-million Texas acres have burned since Dec. 1.

Officials with the Texas Forest Service said there are certain steps rural residents can take to decrease the threat of fires and the damage they cause. 

Because of a severe drought, most of the state is left with little green forage. Lyle Zoeller, Texas Cooperative Extension agent in Coryell County said dry rangeland is a large problem.

�We got lots of rangeland, and that�s a big concern,� he said. �The situation here is we�ve not had significant rainfall since August and we have no (green winter) pasture. It�s 100 percent brown.�

With these dry conditions, Mahlon Hammetter, communications specialist with TFS, said there are certain steps landowners can take to decrease the threat of fires and the damage they cause. 

�Ungrazed pastures would be a major fire starter,� he said. These types of pastures (such as those enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program), should be protected with a fire break.

Brad Smith, a fire behavior analyst with TFS, said firebreaks should be placed around fence lines, road ways, and structures.

�It doesn�t take a lot; one width of a disk,� he said, �but make sure it�s a clean disk line.� The break should be free of large clumps of grass that could help fire jump the break. To solve that problem, Smith suggested disking once in one direction, and disk again the opposite direction.

Ray Field with the Wild Horse Foundation in Franklin said they are doing what they can to protect their land and the horses there. “We have already made arrangements for two bulldozers to come in and increase our perimeter lines to help defend against fires.” Because of the severe fire danger, the Foundation is no longer accepting rescued horses, until further notice.

In addition, TFS recommends protecting your home with a defensible space. Defensible spaces are those clear of brush, cedars, and combustible materials. These spaces should be one and a half times the height of the home, plus an additional 30 feet wide.

Smith said this area can be watered repetitively to discourage fires from starting and/or penetrating the property.

�Water around the home and keep the soil moist,� Smith added.

Hammetter cautioned that wetting grass will not permanently solve the problem. Most grasses are dormant this time of year, so their roots will not absorb soil moisture, “You can water it down, but the effect will be very short lived,” he explained.

Grass in lawns and surrounding areas should be kept short.

�Mow it down as short as you can get it,� said Smith.

While mowing grassy areas as short as possible, is recommended, in some areas that task is proving difficult.

Gary Clayton, Texas Cooperative Extension agent in Wise County, said “You’re afraid to mow your pasture, and we can’t do any control burns.” He added his county has had 112 grass fires since Dec. 1, 19 structural fires, 115 burn ban violations, and 59 fireworks violations. 

Not only does tall grass encourage fires, the use of equipment on tall grasses can also start fires.

Hammetter said catalytic convertors on tractors and vehicles in pastures can easily start fires. “It takes very little spark,” to start fires, he pointed out.

Other agriculture-related equipment has been blamed for starting fires. Smith said a man pulling a horse trailer in Henderson County had a flat tire and as he continued to drive, the rim struck the road, throwing sparks, and eventually sparking multiple fires along the roadway he was traveling. Smith cautioned that chains dragging the roadway can cause sparks and result in fires also. Travelers should ensure that trailers are not throwing sparks of any kind and that chains and other metal materials are not dragging the ground. In addition, TFS recommends using caution when using brush hogs and keeping a watchful eye for rocks that metal equipment could strike and create sparks.

Even small equipment poses a large threat. 

�It�s so easy to get a fire started,� said Smith, that hot chainsaws in grass can start fires. More often, welding equipment is the culprit.

�A lot of people are out building fences,� said Smith. Sparks from welding easily starts fires under dry conditions. �We see a lot of that, and that kind of catches people by surprise.�

Many counties have implemented burn bans and bans on activities such as welding. 

Clayton said his county’s officials have met and are trying to accommodate those who make a living from welding. Under the latest agreement, workers who rely on welding for their livelihood will be allowed to weld under strict stipulations.

Even where welding is still allowed, Hammetter said certain precautions should be taken.

�Wet down the area in which you are going to be welding,� he said and suggested wetting the area repetitively before, during, and after welding. In addition, he recommended having a �spotter� on site, a person whose only purpose is to watch the area for signs that welding sparks have ignited a fire.

In addition, steps can be taken to ensure that once fires have started minimal damage occurs.

All of the specialists recommended storing flammable liquids and fuels away from other fire fuels such as hay, wood, and dry grasses.

�Flammable materials should be stored away from the homestead, buildings, and away from tall grasses,� said Hammetter.

These materials should be stored in a safe location, surrounded by a firebreak.

In addition, farm machinery should be kept away from these materials, to minimize the risk of destruction in case of fire.

Separating inventories is also a good idea. “We have people moving hay, so it’s not all in the same location,” Clayton said. This decreases the chance that all the hay would be lost if a fire occurred.

Clayton added that several small steps can have a big impact. He turned off his electric fence as an added precaution, and his community put together a phone contact list so they could notify one another of any danger.

He also noted that many people are keeping their garden hoses unrolled and ready to use.

�I think the thing people need to do is have a plan,� he said. �And know the first step to take when in danger.�

Sara Allen, Hunt County Extension agent, added, “If a wildfire threatens your farm or ranch, always remember that human life must be the first priority; property comes second.

�If you do have time to evacuate animals, proceed with caution. Some animals may refuse to leave, and some may even run back into a burning barn or building. Make sure to close gates prohibiting access to dangerous areas.�

Allen also pointed out that if fire does pass through, animals exposed to the fire and smoke should be examined closely. “You may need to spray animals with water in order to cool them down.”

Unfortunately, the fire danger in Texas may not subside any time soon. “The underlying cause - the drought - looks like it’s going to be with us for the foreseeable future,” said Smith. “We’re looking for the recharging of our soil moisture, and that will take quite a bit of rain.

�Grasses greening eliminates lots of danger,� he said.

In the meantime, people should continue to be cautious. 

�Obey the burn bans,� said Hammetter. �We really need full compliance with them.�

�I think 95 percent of people are going to be very cautious,� said Clayton. �It�s that 5 percent we really have a concern for.�