The National Weather Service has forecast critical fire weather across much of the western third of Texas this week. Wildfires can prove deadly on farms and ranches, damaging and destroying homes, barns, agriculture production facilities, crops and livestock. Take precautions now to minimize the risk and spread of wildfires and know what to do if one is in your area.

One important way ranchers can make sure they are protecting lives and property before a wildfire starts is to inform your fire department about access roads, locations of structures, water sources, fence lines, geography, priorities and preferred fire suppression tactics BEFORE a fire occurs.h

Learn more about fire danger forecasts by visiting the Texas A&M Forest Service Predictive Services webpage at https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/PredictiveServices/ 

Follow wildfire information updates on Twitter @AllhazardsTFS.

Important links:

The National Weather Service fire weather webpage.

National Weather Service Weather Outlook map

Texas A&M Forest Service “What’s My Risk?” Wildfire risk assessment portal.

Wildfire Resources Webpage at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Disaster Education Network provides current situation links, preparation worksheets and checklists, plus after-fire resources for landowners, ranchers and livestock producers.

Wildfire Ready Checklist When wildfires are approaching your property or you see smoke on the horizon, the situation can become chaotic. Preparing for wildfire response ahead of time is one of the most important steps a landowner can take. Correctly identifying property at risk, resources available, and existing wildfire barriers can greatly enhance the effectiveness of first responders. Preparation can also improve overall communication when making critical fire decisions. This document provides general recommendations for information you need to have ready before wild-fire response teams arrive.

Texas A&M Forest Service “Protect Your Home” how-to webpageTexas Animal Health Commission

Wildfires and Your Livestock: Download and print a checklists for before during and after