Fire danger elevated as Abilene-area endures dryness, wind

Our view
·1 min read

Considering that Abilene has measured 0.48 inches of precipitation the past 80 days, the wind has howled from north, west and south, and vegetation has died, conditions are ripe for wildfire.

There have been a few already, but we've mostly made it out of the windiest days without a major alarm.

Most Big Country counties, including Taylor but excluding Nolan, are observing outdoor burn bans.

An air tanker at Abilene Regional Airport in October. Since that month, Abilene has received less than a half-inch of rain.
An air tanker at Abilene Regional Airport in October. Since that month, Abilene has received less than a half-inch of rain.

The 10-day forecast, which takes us almost out of the first month of the new year, doesn't look promising for moisture.

So, it is up to us to use caution. When it's windy, we need to be on high alert. It won't take much to get a wildfire going.

This also includes homes. Despite many warm days, we have cold ones, too.

It was 80 on Friday, then 45 on Saturday.

It was 79 on Tuesday before temperatures Wednesday afternoon began to drop, with a high of just above freezing expected Thursday.

So make sure your heating is functioning correctly and you're not taking chances.

Fire is devastating, to you and your neighbors.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Fire danger elevated as Abilene-area endures dryness, wind