Current situation
“Austin ranks sixth in the nation for number of homes at risk of wildfire,” Mayor Kirk Watson said. “... In Austin we’re now 41 days without measurable rainfall, and we’re about as dry as dry can be. ... Between the dry conditions and windy days, we’re in a precarious situation.”
Though the Austin area experienced an unusually wet summer, the extra moisture gave way to additional vegetational growth, or rather fire fuel, said Justice Jones, a wildfire mitigation officer with the Austin Fire Department.
“That’s what’s driving us into a winter fire season,” Jones said.
Both government and fire officials urged residents to be vigilant. So far in the month of October, the Austin Fire Department has responded to over 100 grass and brush fires, including a fire along FM 969 on Oct. 10 that burned roughly 50 acres, according to city documents.
In addition, over the past week more than 80 wildfires have burned more than 2,200 acres across the state, resulting in widespread damage and posing a threat to lives.
What residents need to know
In Texas, 90% of wildfires are started by humans, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. According to local officials, these human-caused fires are often a result of things like burning of debris, sparks from dragging vehicle chains or negligently discarded cigarettes.
In times with elevated fire weather conditions, creating a defensible space surrounding your home is important, said Bobby Abbott, Travis County Emergency Services District No. 6 fire chief.
A defensible space is a buffer between a home and surrounding vegetation or debris, such as trees, brush or even missing roof shingles. This buffer helps improve a house’s chance of surviving a wildfire and gives firefighters a safe area to work in to defend the structure.
Here are some steps individuals can take to reduce the risk of wildfire around their home:
- Clean out gutters to remove leaves and debris
- Clear dried leaves and vegetation within 5 feet of home
- Trim tree branches so they are at least 10 feet away from the residence
- Keep flammable items away from house or store them in a garage or shed
Looking ahead
Though the entire county is being considered for potential wildfire risk, Jones noted that southeast and southwest Austin in particular exhibit areas with high fire risk aspects.
In southeast Austin, the land is flat with a lot of dry vegetational fire fuels, akin to many rural communities, Jones explained. In southwest Austin, the department's concern is around the “wild land urban interface,” or rather merging of undeveloped wild land with new communities that are being built.
Additionally, fire officials worry for communities with one way in and out, Jones said.
Travis County is currently under a burn ban, which prohibits outdoor burning, including campfires and debris burns.
The Austin Travis County Wildfire Coalition is also actively working to clear brush, shrubs, downed trees and other fire fuels throughout the county, which can help to reduce large-scale damage from wildfires.
“Our land management agencies are actively out there reducing fuels on the landscape to protect our wild lands and communities,” Jones said.
Residents are encouraged to visit the Ready, Set, Go! wildfire preparedness website to actively prepare homes for the impending wildfire season.
Watson also urged Austinites to sign up for local emergency alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org.
Quote of note
“Everybody needs to take care. We’re going to do our part, we need you to do your part,” said Eric Carter, the chief emergency management coordinator for Travis County.
