Texas, USA — The recent La Nina advisory by the United States’ weather department states an increased risk of wildland fires in the country, particularly in regions such as Texas.
“There is a 95 percent chance La Nina conditions will be present through February and a 65 percent chance La Nina will persist through April,” states the advisory. “Typically, the La Niña pattern brings warmer and dryer than normal conditions to Texas during the winter and spring. This translates to less rain (increased drought) and warm temperatures leading to dry vegetation for large areas of the state creating an increased risk for wildfires.”
La Niña is a weather pattern occurring in the Pacific Ocean. It means The Little Girl in Spanish and also known as ‘a cold event’.
“Many of these wildfires are starting late in the day, or early evening, when we observe daily peak heating and an increase in gusty winds,” said Brad Smith, head of the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Predictive Services Department.
Recently, a wildland fire had erupted in the Indian School Road in Montague County of Texas.
Four different volunteer fire departments including the Comanche, Promontory Park Volunteer Fire Department, Proctor, and De Leon volunteer fire department worked to contain the fire that had spread on 253 acres of land.
Though no property was damaged in the fire, some residents in the area were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
According to the Taxes A&M Forest Service, the wildfire has become a serious threat to the people, property, and natural resources across the state due to rapid population growth in wildland-urban interface areas.
In December last year, Taxes A&M Forest Service had called upon the citizens to practice fire safety during the holiday season and issued fire safety norms.
“Most wildland fires this time of year occur just before or just after a frontal passage,” Smith said. “These fronts often pass through with little precipitation, but bring increased wind before and after the front passes. These increased winds can help to spread fire in a landscape that is full of freeze-cured grasses.”
Careless debris burning and stacking of firewood too close to a home can trigger a fire incident.
As per the norms, firewood should be stacked at least 30 feet away from all structures.
Also, fireworks during the holiday season can turn into a disaster if not given the proper attention.
According to the Taxes Fire Department, people and their careless activities cause more than 90 percent of wildfires in the state.
The country’s National Weather Service has also issued a La Nina Advisory.
“An active winter and spring wildfire season is anticipated across Texas,” said Karen Stafford, Texas A&M Forest Service Prevention Program Coordinator. “Residents can take steps now to protect their homes and loved ones. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages residents to be mindful of any outdoor activity that may cause a spark.”
In the United States of America, a total of 50,477 wildfires reported in 2019 with 6,892 fire incidents reported in Texas alone burning over 215,493 acres of land.
There has been a 160 percent increase in wildfire deaths in the USA between 2009 and 2019 as compared to the previous decade.
(Edited by Megha Virendra Choudhary and Vaibhav Vishwanath Pawar.)
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