In 2024, 5,187 wildfires burned over 1.3 million acres in Texas, and since wildfires have no boundaries, Texans should always be prepared for wildfires.
During Wildfire Awareness Month, Texas A&M Forest Service is highlighting the ways that Texans can not only prevent wildfires but how they can prepare for when they occur.
"Preparation for wildfires is key to protecting both lives and property," said Erin O'Connor, Texas A&M Forest Service Public Information Officer. "During an emergency, you may only have minutes to act or evacuate. Having a plan and a go-kit can make all the difference. The better prepared Texans are, the safer they will be."
Prepare a go-kit
A critical component to ensuring safety and preparedness for wildfires is the preparation of a go-kit that can be easily carried and include supplies for several days. A go-kit should include:
- Supplies for both people and pets.
- Prescription medications or other necessary medical equipment.
- Papers and important documents such as phone numbers and insurance and identification documents.
- Personal needs including food, water, clothes, money, chargers and a first aid kit.
- Priceless items such as photos, family heirlooms and any other irreplaceable or valuable items.
Evacuation plans
"It is important to have at least two evacuation routes planned out of your neighborhood in case the first route is blocked by heavy smoke or traffic," said O’Connor.
Evacuation routes and shelter locations will be influenced by wildfire activity. It is critical to know how and where local emergency officials will communicate information, such as updates and instructions, to the public.
Preparing homes and land
"There are many practical steps that residents and landowners can take to reduce their risk from wildfire," said O’Connor.
Residents can prepare around their homes using fire resistant landscaping and ensuring defensible spaces are maintained. Embers—small pieces of burning material easily carried by the wind—are the leading cause of home loss during wildfires. They can collect in small crevices around a home and enter through vents.
Simple, low-cost actions like cleaning out gutters, clearing leaves from garden beds and around wooden structures, removing leaf piles, and relocating firewood stacks at least 30 feet away from buildings can significantly reduce the risk of ember ignition.
Farm and ranch owners can prepare for wildfires by assessing the property for potential hazards, establishing contingency plans for feeding and relocating livestock if a fire is imminent and informing fire departments about access roads, water sources, fence lines and preferred wildfire suppression tactics.
Preparing communities
"The wildland urban interface is where humans and their structures meet or mix with undeveloped wildland,” said O’Connor. “Communities in the WUI are at the greatest risk for wildfire damage or loss. As Texas’ population grows and urban areas expand into more rural landscapes, the number of people that may be impacted by wildfires will increase."
Communities and municipalities can create community wildfire protection plans to identify high-risk areas of the wildland urban interface and target potential fuels reduction projects, training needs and prevention strategies.
Texas A&M Forest Service works with communities to create community wildfire protection plans, assists neighborhoods with the management of the Firewise USA® program and provides risk assessment tools to ensure communities have the resources to be prepared for wildfire.