Forest Fires in Texas

Fires have been with Texas forever – long before it became a state – and fires will be part of the ecology long after we’re gone.

 Historical records suggest that Texas was largely covered in grasslands prior to western settlements. Periodic fires sparked by lightning, dry conditions, or native Americans kept the trees limited to the wetter portions of the east Texas and near regular watering holes where animals kept grasses grazed down.

 Since Texas has been settled, wild fires have been suppressed by man and seen in a negative light. This suppression has been to our advantage in many ways and against our advantage in others. Protecting homes and livestock and controlling our environment have been largely beneficial for everyone. But allowing fuel to build up to the point that it has (especially since last year’s rainfall) is now a very dangerous situation.

 As I write this today, a total of 183, 735 acres burned yesterday alone. That amount of land going up in smoke in a single day staggers the imagination. We’ve just had a cold front blow thorugh with winds in the 20 to 30 mph range and gusts to 50 mph. Following last year’s record rainfall and a significant beginning to a drought this last winter, Texas is set up for another very active fire season.

 Two years ago, Texas fire departments reported 95,971 residential fires – that was one fire about once every 5 minutes – 24 hours a day! The fires resulted in 179 civilian deaths. 7888 civilian injuries, and over $470 million dollars in property lost.

 In the Texas Fire Incident Reporting System, a total of 1,368,080 fires were reported with many more thought to be not reported! James Hull, the TFS Director, stated that during 2006, more acres in Texas burned than the sum total of acres burned previously in his entire career of more than 30 years of service.

 As a single arborist, there isn’t much one can do about large-scale fires. However, we can by starting with everyone more aware of fire conditions and what they can do to make their houses more defensible in the event of a fire. Clearing the brush and tall grasses away from houses and out buildings, raising low limbs of trees, removing deadwood and flammable understory plants – all things that will help each house be a little more defensible in the event of a wildfire. 

 To get your community involved, go this web site for more information on how to become a FireWise Community.

http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=1602

Patrick Wentworth is an arborist and biologist that has been studying and working with the environment for the last 35 years. Find out more at www.austintreespecialists.com.

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