Weather experts are projecting an increased risk of wildfires this weekend due to ongoing drought conditions and no precipitation forecasted until next week.
North Texas saw a cool start to the week, with highs in the 60s and 70s across the region. However, meteorologists predicted that temperatures would gradually increase to above-normal temperatures, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Meteorologists predict this warming trend will continue into the weekend, with highs in the 80s and 90s. Such conditions will be accompanied by an elevated fire threat that will continue through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Fort Worth.
David Bonnette, a meteorologist with the NWS in Fort Worth, told The Dallas Express that Texas drought conditions are the worst in parts of the state west of the metroplex.
Bonnette said that an increased risk of wildfires typically occurs when dry air and gusty winds are combined with things capable of catching fire.
“So for wildfires, the fuels would be dry grasses, dry trees if you have trees that are drought stressed,” said Bonnette. “So usually [wildfires] happen in periods of drought whenever the trees get stressed from lack of rainfall, the vegetation dries out so it’s easier to burn.”
Bonnette said that while rain is not expected this week, a predicted “pattern shift” next week could bring some back to North Texas.
Otherwise, he explained that any alleviation of the drought from the effects of El Niño — an atmospheric phenomenon typically bringing cool, wet weather to Texas — likely would not be felt until wintertime.
“We’re still uncertain as far as how much rain will fall [next week] and who’s going to get the most rain, but the odds are looking better that we’ll get some rain next week,” said Bonnette.
The wildfire situation across the state has decreased from the high number of fires seen in the summertime. Texas A&M Forest Service says that while 123 counties currently have burn bans in place, only three wildfires are active. Each is over 90% contained.
Bonnette advised that residents take caution this weekend and avoid doing anything that could spark a fire around “dormant vegetation.”
