Texas has had several big wildfires over the last couple of months, and they've been causing a lot of trouble. wildfire They are spreading quickly and produce dangerous smoke that is threatening lives, property and health.

Drought conditions and hot weather have made it very difficult for firefighters to keep the fires at bay. This weekend and early next week, much of the state will face an elevated fire danger as temperatures rise and vegetation dries out.
Drought

A drought is a period of dry weather that doesn’t bring enough rain. It can affect crops, water supplies, and ecosystems in the area.

Droughts are different than other extreme weather events, like hurricanes and tornadoes. They don’t make a big appearance, but they build over time to have an impact on the local community.

The drought in Texas has been especially severe. Since May, average rainfall has been less than 10 inches across most of the state. That’s the first time that’s happened in nearly a century, according to state climatologist John Neilsen-Gammon.

In addition, Texas’s underground aquifers, which provide drinking water and irrigation to farms and ranches, have declined. In the Panhandle, for example, the Edwards Aquifer is nearly 20 feet below its normal level.

Wildfires are a common problem during droughts, and in fact, the Lone Star state has had several of these blazes this summer. But this year’s blazes have been unusually fast, and they have spread quickly across grassland that had died over the winter.

While some fires are small, others have burned up to 60,000 acres in a single day. The wildfires are being fueled by dry grasses and low humidity, which makes them easy to ignite.

These blazes can be dangerous and can cause damage to property and wildlife. They can also create a hazardous environment for firefighters to work in, and they can be difficult to contain or extinguish.

Because of this, the Texan government has implemented several strategies to protect against the dangers of fires caused by drought. These include creating a Wildfire Risk Index that is based on ground-based temperature and NEXRAD radar rainfall data for counties throughout the state.

The Wildfire Risk Index is designed to predict how a region may fare during a drought, and to help communities and governments plan accordingly. It is expected to be used as an early warning tool in the event of a drought, but it can be useful for planning and responding to fires even before the drought sets in.

With drought conditions worsening and wildfires raging across the state, the governor renewed a disaster declaration this month. He warned that drought conditions have a “potential to pose an imminent threat to public health, property, and the economy.”
Hot Weather

The intense heat that has swept across Texas over the past week has been a serious threat to life and property, as wildfires have broken out in parts of the state. The hot weather has reduced the moisture in vegetation that can fuel wildfires, making them more likely to ignite.

A prolonged heat wave also has drained fire crews in the state. They are wearing heavy protective gear and have had to hydrate frequently, according to Fire Chief Michael Moore.

But climate change is also at play in this heatwave, said John Nielsen-Gammon, the state climatologist. He says Texas has seen tremendous summertime warming in recent decades.

That's why Texas is experiencing a record number of 100-degree days so far in the summer, he said. That's a big part of why the drought is so bad this year, and why wildfires are happening more frequently.

The hottest weather is affecting the entire state, and it's not expected to let up any time soon. The National Weather Service issued a "heat advisory" for most of the state on Monday, which means that temperatures will be at or above 100 degrees.

In addition to the extreme heat, the dry conditions are causing a lot of problems for firefighters. They're battling brush fires that have been fueled by hot temperatures, he added.

These fires have burned a significant amount of vegetation, including trees and brush, which can be difficult to put out with water. They can also spread quickly and produce smoke, which is harmful to human health.

If the heat continues, it could make the situation even worse for firefighters. They could have to spend more time on the job and may be less able to protect homes, Smith said.

He said that the heat will continue to ravage the state through July and into August. That's why it's important for Texans to be prepared.

Creating a Disaster Supply Kit is a great way to prepare for a storm and ensure you have a plan to stay safe and well. The kit should include food, water, a first aid kit and emergency contact information.
Dry Vegetation

With drought conditions and dry vegetation, Texas wildfires are becoming more frequent. And as climate change and population growth continue to worsen, the danger of fires in the state could increase even more.

The current extreme heat and drought across much of Texas is reducing the moisture in vegetation, increasing the possibility of wildfires this week, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Despite some recent rainfall, it's still important to obey all local burn bans and outdoor burning restrictions.

Throughout the state, temperatures have been in the triple digits for most of July and dry conditions persist. The upper-level ridge of high pressure that has been responsible for the hot and dry conditions over the past several weeks is forecast to move back over much of Texas Sunday through Wednesday.

Persistent temperatures above 100 degrees are drawing moisture from live vegetation, and mid-July live fuel samples in the Cross Timbers, Rolling Plains and Hill Country are at critical levels. With critical to extremely dry vegetation and elevated fire weather conditions, tree torching is likely with potential for larger wildfires in the Eastern/Western Hill Country, Cross Timbers and eastern Rolling Plains into early next week, officials say.

The Texas A&M Forest Service has sent out more than 300 firefighters on alert to combat wildfires, including 38 aircraft ranging from large air tankers to helicopters. This is in addition to the 1,080 firefighters from land management agencies across the country and through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System.

While the recent rains have reduced some wildfire danger, it's still important to obey local burn bans and outdoor burning restrictions until they are lifted by your local officials. If a wildfire is spotted, call your local authorities immediately.

With fire conditions deteriorating, Texas A&M Forest Service responders are positioned across the state to combat fires. In addition, the agency continues to mobilize additional firefighters, equipment and aircraft as necessary to keep responding to wildfires as they occur.

The agency's spokesman, Wes Moorehead, said that "wildfires are occurring across the entire state from border to border and require extensive support." While the rain might offer firefighters a break from fighting fires this week, it doesn't take away the danger of them happening again once the weather cools.
Smoke

Smoke from wildfires is a toxic mix of chemicals and particulates that can cause serious health effects. People who have heart or lung disease, young children, elderly people, pregnant women and others who are sensitive to smoke should stay indoors until air quality improves.

During the combustion process, fires release a variety of gases and particulates, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), irritants and cancer-causing substances such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and aldehydes. The types and amount of particles and chemicals in smoke differ depending on what is burning, how much oxygen is available and the burn temperature.

When smoke from a wildfire reaches cities or towns, it may pick up traces of chemicals from plastic or other manmade materials, as well as poisonous plants such as ivy and poison oak. The smoke can also affect the visibility of buildings, making it harder for people to find their way out of a building or escape the danger.

According to the EPA, long-term exposure to particulate matter from smoke from wildfires can lead to eye and respiratory irritation, aggravate existing medical conditions such as asthma, and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. This is especially true for older people, infants and young children.

The main pollutant of concern from smoke is fine particulate matter, or PM. These particles are very small and have diameters that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller.

Because these tiny particles can reach deep into the lungs, they can irritate the lungs and increase the risk of developing lung disease or a heart attack or stroke. They are also a leading source of air pollution that contributes to premature death.

A variety of other dangerous pollutants also can be found in smoke, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These compounds can irritate the eyes, sinuses and skin.

In addition to being a risk factor for cancer, exposure to PM may also cause inflammation of the respiratory tract, resulting in shortness of breath and coughing. It can also lead to nausea, vomiting and other symptoms.

In Texas, a wildfire near Abilene caused the smell of smoke to waft into Houston on Friday as strong northwest winds pushed it in. Gusts whipped up by the wind caused the smoke to stick around the area throughout the day. The Houston office of emergency management warned residents to stay indoors and wear masks if they have breathing problems.