The U.S. National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio has issued a Fire Weather Watch for South Central Texas for Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening.
Any wildfires that start could rapidly increase in size and intensity and move quickly.
A strong storm system and Pacific cold front will move across the area Tuesday morning. Strong winds and dry air will spread across the region behind the front and continue through Tuesday evening.
Sustained winds of 25-35 mph with wind gusts of 40-50 mph are expected, with minimum relative humidity dropping to 5-15% by early afternoon. Temperatures of around 80 degrees are forecast.
Winds will decrease and humidity will recover after sunset, reducing the threat below critical levels.
The weather service said this watch could be upgraded to a Red Flag Warning if observations and model data continue to support anticipated conditions.
A Fire Weather Watch means critical fire-weather conditions are forecast to occur.
A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidities and stronger winds are expected to continue to produce an increased risk of fire danger.
Texas A&M Forest Service Chief Jared Karns asks the public to take precautions. Ninety percent of wildfires are caused by people and their activities, meaning most are preventable.
Outdoor activities that may cause a spark include:
- Debris burning. This is the number one cause of wildfires in Texas. Always check for and follow local burn bans. Avoid burning on hot, dry or windy days. As of March 1, Comal County’s burn ban is off.
- Equipment use. Equipment use is the second-leading cause of wildfires. Keep all vehicles in good working order and avoid parking and driving in tall, dry grass. Catalytic converters can spark dry grass.
To prepare for wildfires, residents should:
- Create a go kit. Build a kit with people and pet supplies, prescriptions, important papers, personal needs, and priceless items.
- Plan evacuation routes. Identify at least two evacuation routes and pre-load them into your vehicle or cell phone.
- Follow instructions of local officials. Sign up for local alerts and notifications from local emergency response officials.
