Severe wildfire season predicted

Long-term forecasts of drierthan normal weather indicates wildfire conditions will not subside for a while. In November 2007, the Texas Department of Transportation coordinated Wildfire Preparedness Workshops from the Panhandle to the Hill Country in anticipation of the severe wildfire season predicted by the Texas Forest Service.

Any moisture is welcomed when conditions are right for wildfires -- even sleet -- but until there is enough moisture for substantial saturation, the threat of wildfires will continue.

The unusually high volume of rain in 2007 produced tremendous plant growth. Lack of any significant rain over the last few months along with the winter dormant cycle for plants has turned dry vegetation into fuel for wildfires.

When wildfire conditions are severe, TxDOT receives requests to construct firebreaks on state property along roadways.

According to Howard Holland, TxDOT director of operations, "We are routinely asked by landowners to construct firebreaks in the right of way as a preemptive measure before a fire starts. It isn't that simple. We must be cautious in our use of fire-prevention methods."

Holland added that constructing firebreaks destroys vegetation and creates other environmental and safety problems that TxDOT must take into account.

"Very often, utility companies utilize state right of way for underground distribution lines. Depth and setback requirement standards are now always met, and the potential danger to the person constructing a fireguard or the disruption of service to utility customers is very high."

To balance the risks, TxDOT limits construction of firebreaks to special circumstances:

-- If there is an active, catastrophic wildfire affecting the area, and the Disaster District Committee chairperson directs TxDOT to clear vegetation; or

-- upon request by the State Operations Center and with the approval of TxDOT administration.

In these situations, TxDOT will construct the firebreak, said Holland. The destruction of vegetation within the right of way by private citizens is a destruction of state property, and damages can be charged to the person responsible, Holland added.

"It is certainly understandable that people want to protect their property.

"We will do what we can to help, but we will not build a firebreak in anticipation of a fire that may or may not materialize. Fireguards should be confined to private property."