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Texas readies additional resources to address increased fire weather conditions

By FOX 7 Austin Digital Team
Updated  March 16, 2022 3:41pm CDT
Weather
FOX 7 Austin

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has mobilized state resources as Texas faces increased fire weather conditions this week. On Wednesday, the Texas State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) increased Texas' readiness to Level II: Escalated Response for Critical Fire Weather Conditions.

High winds and low relative humidity have heightened the risk for wildfires in the western half of the state, according to the National Weather Service. 

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, wildfire activity is forecast to increase along and west of I-35 and into South Texas through the weekend. The Texas A&M Forest Service anticipates the greatest impacts are expected in the Big Country, Permian Basin, Texoma, West Texas, Hill Country, and border regions.

An abundance of extremely dry dormant grasses and intensifying drought may produce large fires that are difficult to control when exposed to periods of elevated to critical fire weather.

The following resources have been readied by the Texas A&M Forest Service: 

  • Ten strike teams from the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) that include approximately 150 firefighters and 30 fire engines. The Texas A&M Forest Service has fully staffed task forces across the state with additional personnel and equipment for support.
  • Fireline supervisors, command staff, and incident commanders with advanced qualifications are strategically placed across the state to respond.
  • Aviation resources are also propositioned across the state for a quick and effective response and include two large airtankers, 12 single-engine air tankers, four air attack platforms, three type-1 helicopters, two type-3 helicopters, and one aerial supervision module are currently staged in state for wildfire response.
  • Four Texas Emergency Medical Task Force (TX EMTF) Wildland Fire Support packages and two Rapid Extraction Modules (REMs) are also on standby to be deployed if necessary.

The following additional resources have been activated as of Wednesday, March 16:

  • Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS): Four firefighting strike teams from the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), including 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines
  • Texas Military Department (TMD): Six helicopters with firefighting capability
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD): Two firefighting brush trucks
  • Texas Emergency Medical Task Force (TX EMTF): Two paramedic/advanced life-support Wildland Fire Support Packages
High winds and low relative humidity have heightened the risk for wildfires in the western half of the state, according to the National Weather Service.

High winds and low relative humidity have heightened the risk for wildfires in the western half of the state, according to the National Weather Service.

"The State of Texas is elevating its response and increasing resources to address any potential wildfire activity," said Governor Abbott. "We thank our firefighters and emergency response personnel who are working around the clock to protect our communities. Texans are encouraged to remain weather-aware and practice wildfire safety diligently through the rest of the week to keep their communities safe."

Texans in the areas of concern are encouraged to create an evacuation plan, heed the guidance of local officials, and create an emergency kit that includes supplies such as food and water, important documents, necessary prescriptions, and other personal items.

Click here to learn more about wildfire safety tips and resources.

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