Wildfire Threat in Texas After Severe Thunderstorms
After severe thunderstorms moved out of North Texas, parts of the state are facing a wildfire threat Tuesday afternoon as strong winds linger and humidity drops.
Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to raise its readiness level as the state braces for critical wildfire threats, per a news release.
Out of 254 counties across the state, 236 were experiencing increased fire risk, according to the release.
Current Weather Conditions
The risk is lower for the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but still present, after the rainfall that moved through early Tuesday morning. Patricia Sanchez, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office, said the area experienced between half an inch and an inch of rain Tuesday morning, which helps prevent the spread of sparks.
Despite this, Sanchez said the fire risk is still present for much of the metro area, particularly west of I-35, because of the high winds and low humidity, making it easy for sparks to travel.
Fire Threat Areas
A critical fire threat is in place for a few counties in the coverage area of the weather service’s Fort Worth office, near Killeen, but is much more widespread in Central and South Texas.
Sanchez said most of Central Texas got less than 0.1 inches of rain in the storms early Tuesday morning.
The weather service warned against leaving fires unattended, driving over tall grass, and discarding cigarettes on the ground to help prevent a possible fire.
On Sunday, clocks sprang forward an hour marking the beginning of this year’s Daylight Saving Time.
Weather Forecast
The greatest thunderstorm chances are east of the I-35 corridor.
A 42-year-old father from Midlothian died after the camper he and his family were in near Texas Motorplex racetrack flipped during the storm.
With Day Light Saving time a week away, here’s what to know about the next season.
A Midlothian man at a campsite near the Texas Motorplex was killed after his travel trailer was sent tumbling by high winds, officials said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Texas is facing a significant wildfire threat after severe thunderstorms moved out of the state. The high winds and low humidity are creating an environment where sparks can easily travel, and the fire risk is still present in many areas. It is essential for residents to take precautions to prevent fires, such as not leaving fires unattended, not driving over tall grass, and not discarding cigarettes on the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the wildfire threat in Texas:
Q: What is the current fire risk in Texas?
A: Out of 254 counties across the state, 236 are experiencing increased fire risk.
Q: What areas are most affected by the fire threat?
A: Central and South Texas are experiencing a critical fire threat, while the Dallas-Fort Worth area has a lower risk but still needs to
