When one thinks of winter, snow is what they imagine; however, wild fires might be what West Texans will be facing in the next few months.
"When we get the dry winds it cures the grasses and it dries them out, makes them more volatile. You have a lot of fuel, and then the winds help to not only dry it out further, but also spread it. So once you get the ignition onto the grass it takes off," said Lubbock’s NWS Meteorologist, Joe Jurecka.
We’ve already seen grass fires all across West Texas. This is unusually early for this time of year. Meteorologist says that La Nina could be the reason.
"There are typically much more fire starts and larger fires during La Nina events," said Jurecka.
The tremendous rains back in the spring and summer ignited the growth of grasses and weeds. Now that the first freeze has killed off most plants, add in the ongoing dry West Texas winds, and those grasses and weeds are becoming parched, ready to light up at any moment. Tim Smith, Fire Chief for West Carlisle, said that they are evaluating the potential need for a burn ban.
"A burn ban will be placed by the County Commissioners if it is placed and that's based on weather conditions, predicted rainfall, and predicted fuel moisture that are very low right now," said Smith.
Burn bans are now instituted for Cochran, Terry, Garza and Hockley counties. Lubbock County may decide to follow suit.
Patti Jones, with Lubbock County Commissioners, released this statement:
Lubbock County is in the process of evaluating the need for a burn ban. When the information is provided to Commissioner's Court a common sense decision must prevail. We have to decide what the best course of action for the citizens in the unincorporated parts of the county.
Most people on the South Plains live in the more populated cities and towns. Both Jurecka and Smith say that Lubbock isn't completely out of the weeds.
"Wild fires have impacted cities across our area before, and they also require a little extra concern," said Jurecka.
"Anybody that lives anywhere in an open field, especially on the fringes of the city, you have to create a defensible fire space around your property. If you're weed and fuels burn right up to your house, there is possibility that we are not going to be able to do anything. We get a strong north or south wind, and the fire is racing towards your property, we have to do structure triage. We might just have to write that house off to save the next one,” said Smith.
Smith expects to see a burn ban in place for Lubbock County possibly after Christmas.
