KFD Chief: 'It's a tinderbox out there'

KYLE — In the throes of a historic heat wave and drought, wildfires have consumed acres across Hays County following fires in San Marcos, Buda and Wimberley in late July. Hays County has had a burn ban in effect since July 11 after Hays County Fire Marshal Mark Wobus provided a recommendation to the commissioners court.

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, people and their activities cause more than 90% of all wildfires in Texas.

Kyle Fire Department Chief Kyle Taylor cautioned and advised a few different ways to prevent the start of wildfires:

• Always have a water source handy

• Don’t throw cigarettes out the windows

• Don’t let chains drag on roads

“People are pulling trailers and chains dragging across the roads are a big concern,” Taylor said.

However, the most common way wildfires begin is through illegal burning, he added. According to the Hays County Fire Marshal's Office, outdoor burning is authorized for on-site burning of trees, brush, grass, leaves, branch trimmings or other plant growth by the owner of the property or any other person authorized by the owner and when the material is generated only from that property. Outdoor burning must only be conducted under a set of conditions outlined by the Hays County Fire Marshal's Office. Currently, outdoor burning is prohibited under the burn ban.

“This is the beginning of fire season,” Taylor said, noting that should a citizen see a wildfire, they should first call 911 and then evacuate. “It’s a tinderbox out there.”

To combat wildfires, KFD deploys four brush trucks and wildland firefighting troops. One unit has been deployed for 14 days, fighting fires across the state as a part of Texas Interstate Fire Mutual Aid System.

During these particularly hot and dry times, Taylor said KFD has extra staff on Red Flag days, determined by the National Weather Service as days with certain humidities and wind speeds for fire danger.

The fire chief also warned that should wind speeds increase, the department will be responding to more and more fires this year.

In 2011, the International Association of Fire Chiefs launched the “Ready, Set, Go!” program, which helps the community learn how to protect homes ahead of time, stay abreast of current fire dangers and evacuate safely if a wildfire is bearing down on the community. It is based on a three-prong approach:

Ready: Your home and family should be ready long before a wildfire ignites. This step includes creating defensible space through proper landscaping techniques and using fire-resistant building materials designed to withstand a wildfire.

Set: When a wildfire is headed your way, it’s time to start preparing to leave. Alert your family and friends. Stay tuned to news reports. Grab your emergency kit and be ready to head out at a moment’s notice. Ensure you know where you’re going and what you’re taking with you.

Go!: Once the fire is bearing down on you, there is nothing you can do but get out of its way. At this point, it’s time to go.

“Don’t wait,” the Forest Service states. “Evacuate early and you’re more likely to avoid being caught in traffic jams or worse — trapped by smoke and fire.”

To learn more about burning tips and current conditions, visit the Hays County Fire Marshal's Office at hayscountytx.com/law-enforcement/fire-marshal and for more about wildfire preparedness, visit the Texas A&M Forest Service at tfsweb.tamu.edu.