“Although rain has been in our weather forecast on and off, no significant precipitation has occurred in the last few weeks, causing extreme dry conditions in our fields. Drought or freeze-cured grasses provide a very receptive medium for an accidental wildfire ignition and dead grass will readily ignite under a wide range of weather conditions,” according to Texas A&M Forest Service Predictive Services.
“An additional factor that will contribute to the difficulty of extinguishing a fire burning in dead grass this year, is that there is a lot of grass on the landscape due to above normal rainfall observed over much of the state during this year’s growing season. Wildfires burning in tall, thick stands of grass will burn hotter, spread faster and require more effort to extinguish.”
Nine out of 10 wildfires in Texas are human caused, and 65% of wildfires that occur during hunting season are caused by debris burning and equipment use, including parking in dry grass and dragging trailer chains. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages hunters to be cautious with any activity that may cause a spark.
Some simple tips to help avoid accidently starting a wildfire while hunting or working on the field include:
- Avoid driving over and parking on dry grass – the heat from your vehicle can easily ignite the grass.
- Always check with local officials for burn bans or other outdoor burning restrictions. Each county in Texas sets and lifts their own burn bans. Make sure you know your county’s burn ban status and if it restricts open flames and other heat-causing activities such as using charcoal. View the latest burn ban map here: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/burnbans/.
- When using a cooking fire or campfire, never leave it unattended, and always make sure it is completely out by drowning it, stirring it and feeling to ensure that it is out cold before you leave.
- If you are taking a trailer out on your adventures, make sure that the tires are properly inflated, chains will not contact the road and that any loose metal will not continually hit anything else, all which can cause sparks.
- Always be ready to put out a fire should one start. Have a shovel and water with you in camp and have a fire extinguisher with you at all times.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office by calling 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Submitted by Dr. Mario A Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County. Contact him at the Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or 1200 West Houston St., Suite B, Sulphur Springs; or by email at [email protected].
