High temps increase fire danger

By Lynsi Musselman

Every year Shackelford County seems to have an intense wildfire season, and this summer has been no exception.

With 13 consecutive days of 100 degree temperatures this month, and one day reaching 110 degrees, the threat for wildfires has increased.

Shackelford County Volunteer Fire Department secretary Kristy Brooker reported that within the last week, the department has been called to at least 10 fires.

Brooker added that three were put out by rainfall before the SCVFD could get there.

“All the fires were started by lightning except one at Fort Griffin State Park that was started by road crew maintenance,” Brooker said. “The low humidity and high heat create dry fuel, making wildfire conditions just right for a deadly fire to take place.”

Brooker reported lightning started a fire on Friday night at the Newell and a neighboring ranch, and then lightning started another fire at the Newell on Sunday. Smoldering embers from the Sunday fire ignited again at the Newell on Monday afternoon.

It is estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 acres were burned by the combined forces of the fires over the last week.

“July and August are the most unstable months for the risk of wildfires in the county,” Brooker said. “Depending on the upcoming weather, Shackelford County sometimes sees some relief in September.”

According to the National Weather Service, Shackelford County is included in a hazardous weather condition warning affecting portions of west central Texas.

The hazardous weather warning forecasts isolated thunderstorms with brief gusts of wind and lightning strikes that may ignite wildfires.

Brooker explained the current forecast is not good for the county or the fire department.

Dry thunderstorms are the type of storms that form with dry hot conditions creating dangerous lightning.

The NWS said the “drier” the thunderstorm, when combined with dry vegetation or fuel, the more efficient the fire ignitions are by cloud to ground lightning.

The NWS ranks Texas number three, behind California and barely behind Georgia, for worst states for fire danger.

Since 2002, 62,944 acres have burned across the state of Texas.

Texas A&M Forest Service reports that human activities are actually responsible for 90 percent of all wildfires in the state, not just lightning strikes.

The activities include careless driving, sparks from welding and grinding equipment, carelessly discarded smoking materials, vehicle exhaust, and arson.

The 75 year-old Smokey Bear slogan “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” can still be applied today.