Burnet County on high alert as wildfire risk intensifies across region
Several Burnet County fire departments responded to the Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County. That blaze has burned almost 10,000 acres and destroyed nine homes, highlighting the need for precautions during the current wildfire season. Photo courtesy of East Lake Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department
Drought, wind, and dry vegetation have placed Burnet County—and much of the Texas Hill Country—at a heightened risk for wildfires, and local emergency officials are urging residents to take extra precautions as spring unfolds.
According to Burnet County Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio, since March 14, the county has been under “exceptional drought,” the most severe level on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale. The National Weather Service has issued seven red flag warnings for the area since March 3 due to dry vegetation, humidity below 20 percent, and winds over 20 mph.
“When we get winds like that combined with dry surface fuels (twigs and other vegetation), that’s when fires can take off fast,” Marchio told DailyTrib.com. “If you’re under a red flag warning, even if we weren’t under a burn ban, burning would be prohibited.”
Burnet County reinstated its burn ban March 3 after briefly lifting it in early February. Burn bans prohibit outdoor burning. Any controlled fire must be reported to the Sheriff’s Office, even when burn bans are not in place.
Local fires, regional response
Between March 14 and March 17, Burnet County fire departments responded to 21 calls for outdoor blazes. Several departments, including the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department, Horseshoe Bay Fire Department, and East Lake Buchanan VFD also assisted with the recent Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County, a blaze that burned nearly 10,000 acres before reaching 95 percent containment this week.
“We had three departments go down Saturday (March 15), and then two rotated in through Sunday,” Marchio said. “Texas A&M Forest Service also assisted with flights to document and manage the scene. That really helped.”
The Crabapple Fire, which began March 15, destroyed nine homes, damaged two others, and wiped out 20 outbuildings. Its cause remains undetermined, though officials believe it originated near the roadside on Lower Crabapple Road.
Burnet County’s not alone
While the risk feels close to home, Burnet County’s wildfire conditions are part of a much larger pattern. The National Interagency Fire Center reported that, as of Friday, March 21, 11,912 wildfires have burned more than 396,000 acres nationwide, well above the 10-year average for this time of year. Over 2,100 wildland firefighters are currently assigned to fires across 16 states, including several major outbreaks in Texas and Oklahoma.
“This isn’t just here. Drought stretches from California through Central Texas,” Marchio said. “We’re in a La Niña cycle, which means warmer, drier conditions, and that brings more wind events. That’s why you’re seeing fires, tornadoes, and everything in between.”
La Niña and El Niño are two sides of the same global climate pattern that is determined by the warming and cooling of the tropical Pacific Ocean. During La Niña, Texas typically sees warmer, drier weather. During El Niño, it sees cooler, wetter weather.
The NWS’ Climate Prediction Center estimates a 33-40 percent chance of below-normal rainfall in the region through May.
“That’s not the forecast we wanted,” Marchio said. “Hopefully, we’ll transition out of La Niña soon and see some El Niño-neutral conditions.”
Practice fire safety
The U.S. Forest Service estimates 85 percent of wildfires are human-caused. Marchio encourages residents to stay vigilant, especially when doing anything that could produce sparks.
“Even small things can trigger a fire in these conditions,” he said. “One spark in the wrong place and you’ve got a serious problem.”
For updates on local fire activity, Burnet County’s burn ban status, and outdoor burning guidelines, visit burnetcountytexas.org.