Wildfire season sparks emphasis on safety, planning
When you’re a firefighter in the Texas Panhandle, knowing how to fight wildfires is a critical skill – one that Fire Captain Blake Crockett has spent decades honing.
“Wildfires are very unpredictable in their nature,” Crockett said. “There are all kinds of variables that will affect the fire, the movement, and growth.”
Crocket noted that wildfire season in the Panhandle generally extends from around November through April. While the peak season is February and March, that can extend when the combination of warming temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds occur while grass fuels are cured.
When fire conditions are right, eliminating all activities that could initiate a spark is important. This can include driving vehicles in tall grass, grinding or welding, or even dragging metal chains which can easily spark and ignite a fire that could spread rapidly and resist control. Stay aware of local conditions and ensure you have a method to receive warning notifications. During periods of increased risks of fire danger, the National Weather Service can issue a red flag warning.
“A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly, and people need to be vigilant and take precautions,” Crockett said. “High temperatures and more extreme values of low relative humidity, in addition to high winds, can create favorable weather for rapid fire growth and spread.”
Crockett says the Texas Panhandle is a unique region because the adjacent plains areas have a distinctive geography that contributes to high wildfire frequency. The Federal Emergency Management Agency categorizes the wildfire risk in the region as moderate with high frequency. The region is semi-arid, which means it is relatively dry and lacks trees, but enough moisture exists to support vast grasslands. These grasslands provide a fuel source that burns very easily and allows for rapid spreading in dry conditions.
“Fire is a natural part of our environment and will never go away,” Crockett said. “People need to be proactive and mitigate the risks when there is no fire threat, rather than to be reactive and try to save their property and livelihood at the last minute. It is never too early to prepare for what is inevitable. It’s not if but when a wildfire will happen.”
Whether you’re at work or at home, the key to wildfire safety is the same: preparation. If a wildfire approaches, have a plan in place. Pantex Emergency Management Specialist Stacie Pahl says proactive safety measures increase survivability outcomes during emergency evacuation situations.
“We all put ourselves in a better situation by simply taking time to consider and prioritize our own readiness,” Pahl said. “This can be done by registering for or signing up to receive local emergency alert notifications; knowing evacuation and egress routes from home, school, work, and office locations; preparing an emergency supply kit; having a family plan; etc.”
On high-fire probability days, Pahl recommends charging your phone, fueling your form of transportation, and prepping a go-kit containing extra water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, first-aid kit, a small tool kit that includes scissors, back up charger, batteries, wet wipes, a dust mask, map and compass, and any required medications.
Both Crockett and Pahl agree: one of the most important tips during wildfire response is to stay calm.
“While it’s not necessarily easy, it is important to remain calm and collected during emergencies,” Pahl said. “Being frantic will only lessen the ability to communicate, think clearly, and remain safe during the wildfire.”
The Texas Panhandle gives striking views of the skyline, sunsets that stretch for miles, and acres of tranquil fields. But it also provides an environment inherent to wildfires. Stay safe, informed, and prepared to confidently respond if people, property, or the environment are in danger due to rapidly spreading flames.