Smith County fire officials discourage outdoor burning

SMITH COUNTY — Fire officials continue to discourage outdoor burning, stressing caution as conditions worsen. Smith County Fire Marshal Paul Findley will give a report on current drought and fire conditions during Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, August 1, at 9:30 a.m. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) moved into the low-600 range over the weekend for Smith County, and it will likely rise daily if the current weather pattern holds.

While incident responses to grass fires is currently lower when compared to last year’s totals for the end of July, calls for service over this past weekend have increased. In addition to discouraging outdoor burning, the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office encourages citizens to use extreme caution when conducting any operation outdoors that could result in the ignition of a fire. Over the past week, the county has experienced situations where improperly maintained trailers have produced sparks that ignited dry vegetation along the roadway. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, “the most common causes of wildfires during the summer months are debris burning and equipment use, which includes parking in dry grass and dragging trailer chains.” Citizens pulling trailers should ensure that safety chains are properly connected and not dragging on the roadway. Additionally, it is important to refrain from driving or parking on dry grass. The heat from a vehicle can sometimes ignite vegetation beneath the vehicle.

Underinflated or poorly maintained tires can also pose a risk. In the past week, the county has responded to fires caused by tire failure, resulting in sparks created by wheel rims in contact with the road surface.

For those conducting outdoor welding operations, it is important to keep the area clear of vegetation, wet down the work area, keep water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby, and have a spotter to watch for sparks. Additionally, outdoor welding operations should be avoided on windy days.

Finally, it is important to never leave any outdoor burning or spark-producing operation unattended, including outdoor cooking. Citizens can help prevent these types of fires by ensuring hat grills are kept clean of excess grease. Additionally, grills should be placed in an open space away from tall grass, shrubs, and woodpiles. Ensure that grills, along with any coals, are completely cool when completing cooking operations. Especially in windy conditions, smoldering coals can easily reignite and produce embers that can be blown into nearby dry vegetation.