It’s no secret that Austin has been neck deep in a drought throughout the summer. While lack of water is the primary concern for many, county officials are worried about safety as wildfires continue to spark up in hellishly hot central Texas. Yesterday another blaze, this time along Hunter’s Bend, engulfed 18 acres of farm land.
Loss of life, property and natural resources are the main concern, according to a press release from the Travis County Fire Marshall’s Office.
Even with the possibility of isolated thunder storms over the weekend, the current ten day forecast has daytime highs sat between 102 and 105 degrees. Today’s meteorological maps show the humidity down below 50%, and even Sunday’s 30% chance of rain will do little to dent that. This means a cigarette butt or rogue spark from farm equipment or a car has the capability of bringing on another inferno Dante would probably write about.
Officials ask that residents do everything they can to ensure Austin doesn’t go up in smoke by obeying the Burn Ban rules.
Remember: The only thing worse than a dead lawn is a lawn engulfed in flames.
This article appears in August 12 • 2011.