This Labor Day weekend should not pass without expressing a debt of gratitude to all the firefighters in the Central Texas area that are battling a collection of wildfires that have been described as "one of the worst wildfire emergencies Central Texas has ever seen) (Source KUT News Austin). But Central Texas/Bastrop County is not the only area with families threatened by wildfires during this major drought season. One Houston Examiner reports on a fire in Montgomery County where families have been evacuated. A local source reported to me that 8000 people have been evacuated from the Magnolia/Woodlands area and Magnolia ISD schools are closed for Tuesday, Sept. 6. Get more updates on the Waller/Montgomery County area fires as they occur here.
This isn't the first wildfire this year to threaten thousands of homes and families in East Texas. Earlier this summer a 19,000 acre wildfire threatened home, businesses and families in Grimes and Trinity County.
Earlier this summer, In the western portion of the Harris County/Houston area a wildlfire threatened homes, a church and businesses in the Katy area.
According to the Texas Forest Service:
- The Texas Forest Service responded yesterday to 63 new fires that burned 32,936 acres, including 22 new large fires.
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Strong winds and low relative humidity from Tropical Storm Lee caused numerous wildfires to spread rapidly yesterday. Additional National Guard Blackhawk helicopters and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams, as well as a heavy airtanker from South Dakota were mobilized Sunday to assist with the large number of fires. Weather conditions are expected to reach critical levels again today.
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Texas Forest Service has dozens of aircraft ready to respond this morning, including four heavy airtankers, 15 single-engine airtankers, 12 helicopters, and 13 aerial supervision aircraft. A Type 1 incident management team has been requested to assist with the Bastrop County Complex.
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251 of the 254 Texas counties are reporting burn bans. Harris County is one of them. Get specific details on the Harris County burn ban here.
Tips for keeping your family safe during a wildfire emergency and burn bans:
- Sign up for notifications of emergencies in your area through the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) Emergency Notification System. You simply visit their website and register your cell phone number so that you will be contacted in case of an emergency in your area. However, there may be a delay in getting information and registering to it is important to stay informed though local news channels. This service is only available to Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson counties.
- Follow evacuation instructions. You know your emergency contact list and "kit" for hurricane's? Grab it and leave the area when an evacuation is called for. Much of the information you use for hurricane preparedness can be used for any emergency including wildfires.
- According to the Texas Forest Service, "Approximately 90% of wildfires in Texas are caused by people. Seemingly harmless things like outdoor grilling, dragging safety chains behind a trailer, welding and building campfires can accidentally start a dangerous wildfire." Refrain from these activities.
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DO NOT burn on “red Flag” or windy days and think twice before burning outdoorswhen KBDI approaches 700 or more.
- Keep your grass mowed short.
- Keep hoses out where you can reach them in case of an accidental spark.
- Do you have your charcoal or lighter fluid, gas cans or other combustibles out and about? Put them away in a safe place and make sure they are stored in the proper containers.
- Store lighters and matches out of reach of children.
- Clear roof surfaces and gutters.
- Make sure you know the emergency exits from your home and your neighborhood.
Get a full list of tips all sorts of fire starting situations from camping to baling hay review these tips provided by the Texas Forest Service.
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