Risky Fire Conditions Still in Place This Weekend

Much anticipated relief from triple-digit temperatures is coming Saturday – but at a cost.

As KUT News reported yesterday, a dry cold front blowing in tomorrow is creating an elevated wildfire risk.

While Saturday’s high temperature is expected to be a comparatively cool 92 degrees, wind is coming from the north at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.  Travis County Fire Marshall Hershel Lee says those conditions remind him of last year’s Memorial Day weekend, when wildfires broke out all over Central Texas.

"The winds will probably be about the same,” Lee says. “Relative humidity will be only slightly higher.  And our drought index is a little higher than it was last year.  But, the conditions will feel very similar tomorrow around noon."

Lee recommends people avoid cooking outside, refrain from using mowers and make sure all outdoors equipment is working properly to prevent chains or even glass from sparking a flame. Williamson, Travis, Hays and Caldwell Counties are currently under burn bans.