San Angelo, TX- Texas A&M Forest Service made an announcement that a wildfire activity is expected to increase from today through Monday, along and west of I-35 and into South Texas, including San Angelo.
Dried vegetation has become largely receptive to fire ignitions, and with freeze cured grasses, the wildfire potential will increase around Wichita Falls, Mineral Wells, Lampasas, San Angelo, Midland, Lubbock, Childress and Abilene as both temperatures and wind speeds increase over the extremely dried vegetation.
On Tuesday, the fire is expected to be contained to the pre-frontal environment in Southwest Texas.
Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters have responded to 91 wildfires that destroyed 7,312 acres since Monday. Peak fire activity occurs mid-February through mid-April.
“This year, we’ve utilized aviation assets for response in areas with increased wildfire activity,” said Jared Karns, Texas A&M Forest Service Planning and Preparedness Department Head. “There is continued potential for wildfire activity to occur, and we want to be prepared by having aircraft in the state, ready to respond.”
As a result, the number of aviation crafts has increased, with six single engine air tankers and 2 type one helicopters. In total, two large air tankers, nine single engine air tankers, two type one helicopters, two type 3 helicopters, two air attack platforms and two aerial supervision modules are staged in the state to assist with wildfire response efforts. A total of six strike teams via the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) will be working to provide support.
