Dateline: February 5, 2009

County to consider burn ban Monday

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Donley County Commissioners will consider enacting a burn ban next Monday due to the dry conditions and the high risk of wildfires.

Local officials along with the Eastern Texas Panhandle Red Cross and the Texas Forest Service are urging everyone to use extreme caution with anything that might cause a fire.

Clarendon Fire Chief Delbert Robertson said conditions are right for a big fire.

“It is at a critical stage right now,” Robertson said. “Everyone needs to be careful about cigarettes, fires, and even pulling a car into tall grass.”

Robertson said several landowners have been conducting controlled burns in recent days but said he expects the county to enact a burn ban when those are completed.

Members of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department were among the area firefighters who helped fight a grassfire in Gray County that consumed an estimated 6,400 acres in parts of four counties. Six local firemen on three trucks worked about eight hours on the blaze.

 The Texas Forest Service (TFS) said the wildfire danger is higher now due to a low pressure front that will drop humidity levels and produce high winds.

Tom Spencer, TFS predictive services department head, said these conditions could lead to wildfires that spread quickly, pose containment problems, and endanger public safety.

TFS Predictive Services Department forecasts that through the month of February, fuels, such as grasses and trees, are expected to remain critically dry.

According to an online database managed by TFS, fire departments have reported 163 wildfires for 7,899 since last Friday.

The Eastern Texas Panhandle Red Cross urges residents to take precautions.

Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, grasses and homes. Reduce your risk now – before wildfire strikes. Meet with your family to decide what to do and where to go if wildfires threaten your area.

Follow these steps to protect your family, home and property. Create a 30 to 100 foot safety zone around your home. Within this area, take steps to reduce potential exposure to flames and radiant heat. Clear all flammable vegetation, including leaves, dead limbs and twigs. Remove leaves and rubbish from under structures. Ask the power company to clear branches from power lines. Mow grass regularly. Clear a 10 foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue. Follow local burning regulations. Stack firewood at least 100 feet away from home. Regularly clean roof and gutters.

When wildfire threatens follow the instructions of local officials. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Only if you have the time, take these steps to protect your home. Close windows and heavy drapes, close vents, all interior and exterior doors. Remove lightweight curtains. Shut off gas at the meter or propane tank. Turn off all pilot lights. Close fireplace screens. Move flammable furniture into the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass doors.

Outside of your home, seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood. Place combustible patio furniture inside. Connect garden hose to outside taps. Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel tanks. Wet the roof and shrubs within 15 feet of home.

You can cope with disaster by preparing in advance. Meet with your family to create a disaster plan. Discuss the types of disaster that could occur. Discuss where to go and what to bring if advised to evacuate. Practice what you have discussed. Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by disaster. Pick two meeting places: one a safe distance near your home in case of fire and the second option outside your neighborhood in case you can not return home. Choose an out of state friend as a “check-in contact” for everyone to call.

Eastern Texas Panhandle Red Cross wants you to be safe. Practice and review these steps. The entire Texas Panhandle is in high fire danger and will probably remain so until spring. Prepare now! Know what to do in an emergency. For more information, contact Eastern Texas Panhandle Red Cross at 1-800-297-2270, go to redcross.org or call your local fire department.