As we recently discussed in our article about the Milam County burn ban, Central Texas has been dealing with some brutally hot and dry weather lately. And those conditions don’t just make it uncomfortable to be outside. They can also increase the danger of wildfires.
The Texas A&M Forest Service reported that on August 25 it had received 17 requests for assistance on wildfires that burned more than 52,000 acres across Texas. The state’s wildfire preparedness level is currently at Level 3.
The National Weather Service has also warned that extreme heat, low humidity and dry vegetation can create conditions where fires start easily and spread quickly.
Wildfire Danger in Central Texas Is Increasing
Here in Milam County, we’re still experiencing very hot weather. Cameron and Rockdale are under a Heat Advisory today, August 26, with temperatures around 104 degrees and heat-index values potentially reaching 107.
With conditions like these, this is a good time to take another walk around our homes and properties and look for some of the little things that could make a big difference if a fire were to occur.
Start Close to Your House
When we think about wildfire, we tend to picture a huge wall of flames moving across the countryside. But protecting your home starts much closer to the house.
Take a look around your porch, deck, garage and other structures. Dry leaves, dead grass, pine needles, small branches and other debris can accumulate without us giving them much thought.
Cleaning up these materials reduces some of the fuel available to a fire.
Don’t forget to look under porches and decks, around fences and beside storage buildings. These are easy places for leaves and other dry material to collect.
Take a Look at Your Gutters
Gutters are another place we don’t always think about.
Leaves and debris that have been sitting in a gutter for weeks can become extremely dry during a Central Texas summer. If your gutters are accessible and can be cleaned safely, keeping them free of accumulated debris is another simple step you can take around your home.
If reaching your gutters requires climbing or working from an unsafe position, however, it’s better to get some help than risk a fall.
Be Extra Careful With Mowers and Outdoor Equipment
Something as ordinary as mowing deserves a little more thought when everything is extremely dry.
Mowers, tractors, chains dragging from trailers, power tools and other equipment can potentially create heat or sparks. The National Weather Service has warned that under current dry conditions, a fire that starts can spread rapidly and become difficult to control.
If the grass and vegetation are extremely dry, consider whether an outdoor job really needs to be done right then.
Sometimes the safest home-maintenance decision is simply to wait for better conditions.
Move Combustible Materials Away From Buildings
Take a look at what you have stored against the house, garage or other buildings.
Firewood, cardboard boxes, dead vegetation and other combustible materials don’t need to be sitting directly against a structure.
You don’t have to completely reorganize your property, but creating some separation between easily burned materials and your home can help reduce unnecessary risk.
Make Sure You Can Find Your Garden Hoses
This may sound almost too simple, but make sure your outdoor hoses are connected, usable and easy to reach.
This doesn’t mean you should attempt to fight a wildfire yourself. If you see a wildfire, get to a safe location and call 911. The Texas A&M Forest Service specifically advises people not to approach a wildfire in an attempt to put it out themselves.
Having working outdoor water sources is simply part of keeping your property prepared and maintained.
Have a Plan Before You Need One
Wildfires can move surprisingly fast.
The massive Ross Fire burning in Palo Pinto and Jack counties this week is a sobering example. The fire grew from a small reported fire to tens of thousands of acres, damaging property and forcing evacuations.
You don’t have to live next door to that fire for there to be a lesson in it.
Think about what you would do if a wildfire threatened your own neighborhood. Know how you would leave your property and where you would go. Keep important medications, identification and other necessities somewhere you can access quickly.
And if you have an elderly family member or neighbor living nearby, include them in your plans.
Would they be able to leave quickly on their own? Would someone need to pick them up? Do they have medications or mobility equipment that would need to go with them?
Those questions are much easier to answer before an emergency begins.
Protecting Our Homes Means Paying Attention
At Driscoll Home Services, we spend a lot of time working in and around homes throughout West Milam County and the surrounding Central Texas area. One thing we’ve learned is that many serious household problems start as something small that was easy to overlook.
Wildfire preparation isn’t about becoming frightened every time the weather turns hot and dry. It’s about paying attention.
Clean up the dry leaves. Check the gutters. Move combustible materials away from the house. Be careful with outdoor equipment. Know where your pets are. Check on elderly neighbors and family members. And have an idea of what you’ll do if conditions suddenly change.
None of these things takes away the wildfire risk completely.
But when Central Texas is this hot and dry, a little preparation today may make a very big difference tomorrow.
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