As dove season begins in Texas, itโs important for hunters to remain alert and take proactive measures to prevent wildfires.
Pockets of dry vegetation remain in areas where recent rainfall has been limited, including the Rolling Plains, Eastern Hill Country, South Texas and Lower Gulf Coast.
In late August and early September, these areas could support small wildfires; however, fire weather conditions are not expected, reducing the risk of large, hard-to-control wildfires.
continues to closely monitor conditions and encourages residents and visitors to exercise caution when engaging in outdoor activities that could spark fires.
โEven a small spark can quickly ignite a wildfire under the right conditions,โ said Jared Karns, Texas A&M Forest Service fire chief. โTexans are encouraged to stay alert and be aware of hazards that can cause a wildfire while hunting this season.โ
Precautions to take while hunting
Human activity is responsible for 90% of wildfires in Texas, with debris burning and equipment being the two leading causes. Equipment and vehicle use have accounted for over 4,500 wildfire ignitions in Texas since 2020.
To prevent wildfires while hunting or camping:
- Avoid driving over and parking on tall, dry grass โ the heat from your vehicle can easily ignite the grass.ย
- Always check with local officials for burn bans or other restrictions on outdoor burning. Each county in Texas sets and lifts its own burn bans. For more information, check the latestย burn ban map.
- Never leave a cooking fire or campfire unattended. Always ensure it is completely extinguished by drowning it with water, stirring it and checking to feel it is cold before leaving.ย
- When taking a trailer out, ensure the tires are properly inflated and the safety chains do not contact the road, as this can cause sparks.
- Always be ready to put out a fire should one start. Have a shovel, water and a fire extinguisher with you at camp.
Go toย https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/HuntingFireSafetyย for more information on preventing wildfires this hunting
