YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

High fire danger in Texas

By Gene Hall

Dry air, gusty winds and warm weather. It’s a Texas summer. And a far cry from the wet winter and spring just months ago.

Now, the once soggy ground is rock hard. Green vegetation, like grass and brush, grew quickly. Today, it’s tinderbox dry, and perfect fuel for wildfires.

With parts of the Lone Star State ready to explode in flames, it doesn’t take much to create an inferno. One careless fire. One match. Or leftover fireworks. All can spark a wildfire, endangering Texas land, livestock, homes and lives.

In 2011, hundreds of homes and thousands of acres were destroyed. Wiped out by a wildfire that serves as a burning reminder of how damaging neglect can be. Careless ignition of a wildfire can bring a lot of legal trouble, too.

The rest of the summer forecast? Dry with a high danger of fire. And lots of prayers for rain.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

You may read this week’s editorial above or listen to the audio version.

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