Cass County issues Burn Ban Oct. 15
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) assesses the risk of fire by representing the net effect of evapotranspiration and precipitation in producing cumulative moisture deficiency in deep duff and upper soil layers. The KBDI attempts to measure the amount of precipitation necessary to return the soil to full field capacity.
The index ranges from zero, the point of no moisture deficiency, to 800, the maximum drought that is possible, and represents a moisture regime from 0 to 8 inches of water through the soil layer. At 8 inches of water, the KBDI assumes saturation.
At any point along the scale, the index number indicates the amount of net rainfall that is required to reduce the index to zero, or saturation.
This afternoon, Cass County’s KBDI is 674. With high winds and no rain in the forecast increasing the risk of fires spreading, Cass County Judge Travis Ransom has issued a seven day burn ban and will consider extending the burn ban at the next Commissioners Court meeting on October 22nd.
Drought Conditions across Texas Texas A&M Forest Service responded to 5 new requests for assistance on wildfires burning 70 acres across the state. There are 143 counties with burn bans currently in place. For information about the fire environment, see the Texas Fire Potential update at: https://bit.ly/TexasFire- PotentialUpdate.
Governor Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration, Deploys Firefighting Resources Amid Growing Wildfire Threat AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today issued a disaster declaration for 143 counties in response to increasing wildfire danger and ongoing wildfire activity throughout the state, with more counties added as conditions warrant. The Governor also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate additional state emergency response resources to support local firefighters responding to multiple wildfires burning across the state.
“As the state continues to experience a hot and dry October, Texas is deploying firefighting resources to support local communities at an elevated risk for wildfires,” said Governor Abbott. “Texans should take precautions, heed the guidance of state and local officials, and limit activities that can cause a spark. I thank the Texas Division of Emergency Management and local emergency management personnel for their work as we continue to prepare for potential wildfire activity across North and East Texas.”
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, drought conditions from a torrid October are contributing to an increased risk for wildfire activity across North and East Texas. Upcoming windy conditions will increase the potential for wildfire activity across the state. The Texas A&M Forest Service has raised the Wildland Fire Preparedness Level to Level 3, indicating that wildfire activity is impacting several regions of the state as the result of drought, dry vegetation, or frequent fire weather events. Over the past week, more than 80 wildfires have burned more than 2,200 acres across the state.
At the Governor’s direction, TDEM has activated the following state firefighting resources to support ongoing wildfire response operations: Texas A&M Forest Service: More than 200 firefighters and support personnel; heavy equipment such as bulldozers and motor graders; Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams comprised of over 115 firefighters and more than 35 fire engines; 18 federally-contracted firefighting aircraft, including two large airtankers, two super scoopers for water drops, four single engine air tankers for retardant drops, four fire bosses for water drops, two air attack platforms for surveillance and spotting, and four firefighting helicopters Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Wildland Fire Support Packages including paramedics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles Texans are urged to prepare for wildfire danger by limiting activities that cause sparks, following instructions from officials, making an emergency plan, and keeping emergency supplies readily available. Texans can visit TexasReady. gov and tfsweb.tamu.edu for wildfire tips and safety information.
Emergency Management
One of the many hats that a County Judge wears is as the is the Emergency Management Director for their respective county. As such, I look at the KBDI each morning when we have dry conditions like this. We also rely on information from the Texas Forest Service and our Emergency Service Districts and Volunteer Fired Departments. We have been fortunate to not have any fires or callouts. When the Judge issues a burn ban, it is only good for seven days. After that, the Commissioners Court can extend the burn ban for as long as is needed or lift the burn ban when conditions improve.
The emergency burn ban issued by Judge Travis Ransom on October 15, 2024 has been extended by the Cass County Commissioners Court for an additional 30 days effective October 22, 2024.
On Saturday, October 19,2024, Howard Walraven of Fouke, Arkansas, Barry Breaux of Nederland,Texas and Ken Walraven of Newnan, Georgia won the rod and reel portion of the Jacob Dude Turner Memorial Scholarship Catfish Tournament. They are pictured here with Jacob Dude Turner’s daughters, Presley and Peyton.