Very high fire danger in Central Texas this weekend, says AFD

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Fire Department (AFD) is warning Central Texas residents of the very high fire danger this weekend.

AFD says that conditions are extremely dangerous given the combination of dry fuels, low humidity and moderate to breezy winds. Officials are asking residents to take precautions, which include, but are not limited to:

No BBQs
Postponing lawn mowing
No outdoor burning
Avoiding parking on dry grass
Keeping chains on vehicles from dragging
Properly disposing of cigarette butts

Low humidity and gusty winds already fueled multiple wildfires Friday in north Texas, burning homes and other structures and prompting evacuations of small communities.

Several wildfires merged to form what fire officials call a "complex" that was burning near Eastland, about 120 miles west of Dallas. A nursing home also had to be evacuated in Rising Star, a town about 30 miles southwest of Eastland.

According to Ranger Fire Department Chief Darrell Fox, the fire that burned a church and several downtown buildings in nearby Ranger Thursday may have started from a barbecue pit.

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MORE HEADLINES:
Texas wildfires fueled by gusty winds prompt evacuations
High fire danger in parts of Central Texas heading into weekend
Texas readies additional resources to address increased fire weather conditions
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