Dry, windy conditions ideal for wildfires
Texas Forest Service urges citizens to be cautious

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

A charred fence post and pasture are reminders that the region’s parched conditions are ideal for fires to spread quickly. This fire, which consumed about 150 acres, occurred Sept. 23 in northwestern Fayette County. -- Staff photo by Taylor

Oct. 6, 2005 - As Hurricane Rita rapidly approached Texas on Sept. 23, evacuees fled the coastal areas for higher grounds. Many traveled … bumper to bumper … through record heat, low humidity and dry, parched grasslands and hills. It was the perfect setting for a fire to catch and spread, rapidly, in the high winds, and that’s just what happened in western Fayette County.

According to Mark Wobus, mitigation and suppression specialist with the Texas Forest Service (TFS) in La Grange, about 150 acres of grassland, on Sept. 23, was accidentally set on fire and spread, rapidly. Volunteer firemen from La Grange, Muldoon, and Smithville answered the call and fought side-by-side to extinguish the blaze.

Although the wind speeds only registered 12- to 15-miles-per-hour in town, Wobus agreed that the gusts seemed much higher out in the country. At that time, the relative humidity was around 26 percent … very dry for South Central Texas.

The large grassland fire on Sept. 23 was just an example of the effects of the region’s drought. TFS in the region has been involved with battling numerous wildlfires in recent weeks.

Wobus explained that the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), the most widely-used drought index system in the South, is, basically, “a mathematical system for relating current and recent weather conditions to potential or expected fire behavior.”

It was developed for the southeastern United States and “is based primarily on recent rainfall patterns.” The system drought index number ranges from 0 to 800.  

A 0 to 200 rating means that there is no moisture deficit, and most fuels will not readily ignite or burn, although some patchy fires can be possible. A rating of 200 to 400 means fires will burn more readily and spread without “jumping” areas. Smoldering areas and smoke can linger for a number of hours. Between 400 and 600, fire intensity definitely increases. A drought index of this level means a fire can grow in all directions and spread, rapidly. Finally, a rating of 600 to 800 is the worse scenario. This level notes fires can burn to mineral soil and can even burn underground roots. A fire during these levels is considered the most dangerous as it can burn with greatest intensity.

At the time of the 150-acre fire in western Fayette County, the KBDI was over 600.

Because Hurricane Rita brought little drought relief to the western area of South Central Texas, the wildfire danger remained at a level between 600-700, as of Friday, Sept. 30; but an expected “cold front” was due to bring some precipitation and lower temperatures. 

The TFS was established in 1915 to assist landowners in East Texas work with the pine lumber industry, noted Wobus. Today, offices all over Texas work with fire fighters and offer fire prevention to help educate the public concerning proper burning rules and regulations.

It has been documented that careless trash and/or debris burning has been responsible for many fires across Texas, each year. Obviously, most people do not intentionally start a fire, but unless safety precautions are taken, accidental wildfires can occur.  

Wobus explained that general safety includes checking out the local laws and ordinances concerning burning; considering alternatives to burning, such as composting; avoiding burning outdoors during dry and windy weather; making local fire departments conscious of the fact you are planning a burn session; and last but not least … staying with your fire.

(For more information:  http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu;  www.tamu.edu/ticc; or contact your local Texas Forest Service for brochures concerning fire safety.)