Reprinted from the Texas Forest Service website
by Pat Schaub
Communications Specialist
Texas Forest Service
(College Station)—State Forester and Director of the Texas
Forest Service, Jim Hull, says this
winter’s fire season is the worst he’s seen in nearly
10 years since he became state forester in 1996. He is urging Texans to
remain on their guard against any actions that could result in additional
wildfires in the state.
In the first five days of 2006, 191,806 acres burned in Texas, which are more acres than all of 2005. While local fire departments are the first responders to wildfires in Texas, if the size of a fire or conditions – such as the recent drought and high winds and low relative humidity – exceeds local control, additional Texas Forest Service crews and equipment are called upon to help.
“Current fire threat conditions are so extreme that almost any wildfire has the potential to exceed local control at this point,” said Hull.
Currently, 156 Texas Forest Service personnel are assigned to the fires, with another 279 out-of-state firefighters from 34 states working under the direction of the agency. Supplementing the personnel are 19 helicopters, four tankers, 14 air tactical aircraft, 82 dozers and 28 fire engines.
In addition to those working directly on the fires, personnel and equipment are pre-positioned in areas that the state’s fire behavior analysts have predicted to be in an extreme fire danger situation.
“We are here to protect Texans and their property,” said Hull. “And we need all Texans’ help in guarding our state against the devastation of these fires.”