Comal County Fire Marshal Kody Klabunde warns residents that a red-flag warning and burn ban remains in effect until 8 p.m. today due to low humidity, breezy/gusty winds and ongoing fires.
Exemptions include days when wind speeds are under 15 mph and humidity is over 25%.
A weather system will bring a chance for showers and thunderstorms Tuesday night into early Wednesday, he said. Some storms could be strong to severe with large hail and damaging wind gusts.
The U.S. National Weather Service Austin-San Antonio said critical fire-weather conditions return Wednesday.
Tuesday’s rainfall amounts aren’t expected to be “too impressive” and areas that need rain the most are likely to remain dry.
The weather service said some fire weather issues stem from periods of wetter-than-normal conditions last year allowing grasses to grow followed by drought and freezes curing/drying out fuels.
According to Lone Star State Incident Management Team-Texas A&M Forest Service there are 12 active fires across the state. As of Sunday, 19 fires were contained.
The forest service said by Tuesday, the potential for large wildfires will escalate as critical fire weather is expected to develop over a large area of the state west of the I-35 corridor.
Large, significant wildfires will occur and may impact communities.
The fire environment is likely to continue to support the increased potential for large wildfires in the Hill Country and South Texas on Wednesday.
Many recent wildfires have exhibited extreme fire behavior including torching (the transition of fire from ground to the canopy of trees) and spotting of embers and flammable material ahead of the active wildfire, according to Texas A&M.
“As conditions across a large portion of the state worsen, wildfires that ignite are burning more intensely and are frequently resistant to control,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service fire chief. “Unfortunately, little to no precipitation is forecast for the immediate future and we expect the current level of wildfire activity to continue for some time.”
For current conditions and wildfire outlook, click here.
Burn Ban
Not allowed under the county’s burn ban are:
- Camp fires of any sizes
- Using chimineas, fire pits, fire rings, bonfires
- Burning household waste
- Burning non-wood construction materials like rubber, plastics nd treated lumber.
Permitted under the burn ban:
- Barbecue pits for cooking that have lids
For more information click here.
