Dangerous Conditions in East Texas Lead to Fire Weather Watch

When you take a look at the overall rainfall that Deep East Texas has gotten over the past couple of months, we're pretty much in line with our average rainfall for this time of year.  We've had some pretty decent rainfall from three separate storms over the past three weeks. So, you certainly wouldn't think that the Pineywoods would be in any sort of danger of a wildfire outbreak.

Think again.

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for all of Deep East Texas today, and may again for Friday. A strong cold front has finally made its way across our area.  High temperatures over the next couple of days will be a very pleasant 70 or so, and we will dip to near 40 Thursday and Friday nights. However, it will be the winds and very dry atmospheric conditions that have led to some anxiousness among firefighters in the area.

Winds will be out of the northwest to near 40 mph today and upwards to 30 mph on Friday.  Couple that with very low dewpoints and you have a powder keg when it comes to fire danger, especially when you live in the middle of forests and thickets.

According to maps and indicators, most of East Texas is in pretty good shape when it comes to any sort of drought situation.

However, given the weather situation over the next two days, we are rated in the 'very high' level when it comes to fire danger.

So, please exercise caution.  Refrain from any sort of outdoor burning and if you're a smoker, do not throw your burning cigarettes into grassy areas.