Summer wildfire danger remains despite recent rainfall
By Donnie A. Lucas
Shackelford County residents recorded significant rainfall over the weekend and have had more rain in general over last year at this time.
However, a burn ban is in force across the county, and while grass fires have yet to plague local firefighters, summer weather patterns are here and the threat is increasing.
“Last weekend’s rain pushed the threat back a week or so, but by next week, conditions will be favorable for grass fires,” Brad Henry, resource specialist for the Texas A&M Forest Service said. “The higher temperatures in July will be drying us out and stressing the grass to the point that it becomes really dangerous.”
Henry, who also serves as the chief of the Shackelford County Fire Department that covers rural portions of the county, said that the county has been lucky so far.
“Things are not as critical as last year at this time when we had a fire nearly every day,” he said. “But the days of triple digit temperatures will begin to take a toll.”
The county experienced a week or more of highs near 105 degrees or more the last week of June before temperatures dropped to the lower 90s over the last week, along with a soaking rainfall of 1.5 to 3 inches.
“The rain bought us a little time, but unless it keeps raining, we need to be ready for fires with the higher temperatures,” Henry said.
The forecast for the next week has temperatures above normal, hovering at the century mark or just above.
However, chances of afternoon thunderstorms is also part of the forecast.
Local residents are asked to be vigilant about any activity that could ignite a grass fire now that summer is in full swing.
“We have had only one busy week with fires so far, but that can change quickly,” Henry said.
Hotter and drier conditions across the state in general are predicted for the month, which will increase wildfire potential.
Personal Care
A return to triple digit temperatures next week also brings concerns for the safety of residents, especially the very young and the elderly.
Residents are warned to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat, especially for infants and elderly.
Following are some tips for staying safe in the heat from the Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers Compensation. They can be found along with other ways to stay safe at www.txsafetyat work.com
1. Stay Hydrated. Provide workers with lots of water and encourage them to drink at least one pint every hour. Avoid liquids that can dehydrate the body, such as caffeine. Consider carrying frozen water bottles to ensure cool hydration is available later in the shift. Ensure water is close and available on all job sites.
2. Modify Work Schedules. Monitor the temperature throughout the day and modify work schedules to limit strenuous activity during peak hours of heat from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Allow or arrange for frequent rest periods with water breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Firefighters and hazardous waste site workers should remove gear and take cooldown breaks at intervals.
3. Avoid Clothing that Traps Heat. Waterproof or impermeable clothing and wet or sweat-soaked clothing can trap heat. Avoid wearing rain-resistant or emergency protective gear longer than necessary. Layer a work shirt over an undershirt to help keep sweat and heat away from the skin. Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, if possible. Carry spare shirts to replace wet or sweaty shirts as needed.
4. Wear Gear that Cools You. Consider wearing wet neck towels, gel-filled cooling neck scarves or cooling vests to keep body heat down. Several types of cooling vests are available.
5. Modify the Environment. If it is impractical to air condition a hot indoor space, consider air conditioning a nearby room such as a break room where workers can cool down. Consider portable air conditioning units to cool down individual workstations. Fans can help, but they blow hot air!
6. Monitor Body Functions. Monitor heat’s effect on the body by checking the color of your urine – dark yellow urine means it is time to hydrate. Outside workers and those in hot quarters expect to sweat in the heat, but decreased sweating can also mean dehydration.
7. Slowly Acclimate New or Returning Workers to the Heat. Gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks for workers new to the heat or those who have been away from work. Their bodies need time to adapt to working in the heat.
8. Know the Signs of Heat Illness. Feeling dizzy or sluggish outside on a hot day can be the body’s way of signaling a more serious condition.
