Fire danger Wednesday: What you need to know
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With dry air, gusty winds and ongoing drought, fire risk is elevated in Austin on Wednesday.
Austin and Travis County officials announced last week that both the city and county have issued disaster declarations due to the region’s heightened wildfire risk. Gov. Greg Abbott also has an ongoing statewide disaster declaration due to persistently dry conditions.
Here's what you need to know going into that period of high fire danger.
What's the forecast?
A front moving in Tuesday will push the moisture out of our area and replace it with cooler, dryer air. Wind is a factor in Central Texas through Wednesday.
KXAN meteorologists are regularly updating this forecast story with the latest conditions.
Travis County burn ban in effect
Travis County's burn ban remains in effect until the county's commissioners decide the danger has subsided enough to remove it.
“High winds and dry air mean a higher wildfire risk this week,” said Travis County Fire Marshal Gary Howell. “Even a small spark can start a fast-moving fire under these conditions. We’re asking everyone to do their part. No outdoor burning while the burn ban is in place, keep vehicles off dry grass, and properly discard cigarettes to help prevent fires.”
Starting this year, Travis County launched a new text alert system through Warn Central Texas that messages people when a burn ban has been put in place, when it's been lifted and when a Red Flag warning has been issued.
To sign up text: TCBURNBAN to 888777.
Protecting yourself and your home
The Austin Fire Department asked Austinites to do the following:
- Properly dispose of smoking material -- do not throw cigarettes/cigars out of vehicles or on to the ground
- Use extreme caution if cooking/grilling outdoors
- If towing a trailer, make sure chains are not dragging on the ground
- Avoid hot work (welding, cutting, soldering, brazing, and grinding)
- Clear debris from gutters, roof, and under decks
Austinites can learn more about their wildfire risk and how to protect their home on AFD’s Wildfire Hub.
"You can also request a free structure ignition zone evaluation (SIZE), during which a trained wildfire advisor will walk the exterior of your property with you and provide personalized guidance about hardening your home/business against wildfire risk," AFD said.
Warn Central Texas notifications
City and county leaders use Warn Central Texas to send emergency notifications to people, but you have to sign up for those alerts.
"Be among the first to receive critical community alerts regarding natural disasters, weather warnings, evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices, and missing child reports," the website says.
You can sign up for those notifications here.