Pflugerville firefighters having a too-busy summer
It's wildfire season in Central Texas, and the Pflugerville Fire Department has been keeping busy.
Since June 1, the Travis County ESD #2 has responded to 21 grass and brush fires amid record heat, limited precipitation and high wind speeds.
"This combination of high temperatures, dry vegetation and windy conditions increase the potential for significant wildfires that are often resistant to control," said ESD No. 2 Fire Chief Nick Perkins. "Areas at highest risk include the Interstate 35 corridor between Dallas, Waco, Austin and San Antonio, and extending west to Abilene and Wichita Falls."
This week alone, 50 acres burned in Pflugerville. On Wednesday, a 15-acre fire caused the evacuation near Scoria and Elk Horn drives east of Lake Pflugerville. On Friday, the department responded to several grass fires, including two along Texas 130. A district crew, along with several other Travis County fire departments, also assisted with a brushfire in Caldwell County.
On Aug. 1, ESD No. 2, along with Williamson County and Hutto firefighters, extinguished two fires in Pflugerville along Texas 130 between Texas 45 and County Road 138.
Officials with ESD #2, also known as the Pflugerville Fire Department, also have been helping other agencies fight fires across the area.
"Fire departments support each other for the mutual benefit of the communities," department officials said.
Across the Austin area, there were many destructive fires this week:
On Tuesday, a 37-fire in Cedar Park destroyed an apartment building at 12820 W. Parmer Lane, displacing hundreds of residents and causing one minor injury, city officials said. No major injuries were reported.
As of Friday afternoon, two homes have been evacuated in Caldwell County due to a fire. The fire off Texas 130 and Boggy Creek Road has covered 300 acres.
On Monday, in Fredericksburg, a grass fire burned 75-acres and threatened three homes, three outbuildings and two commercial buildings.
Firefighters in Northeast Austin put out a 100-acre grass fire in Northeast Austin on Wednesday. The fire damaged two vacant structures near Hog Eye Rod and Decker Lake Road.
More: Are you prepared for Texas wildfire season? Here's some prevention, survival tips
Preventing fires
Texas A&M Forest Service Prevention Program Coordinator Karen Stafford recommends taking these precautions to prevent wildfires:
Obey local burn bans. The Texas A&M Forest Service has an online burn ban map.
Exercise caution when parking near grass because the heat from your car can ignite the grass.
When pulling a trailer, keep an eye on tow chains that could create sparks and start roadside fires.
To get immediately notified of nearby emergencies, people living in Central Texas can sign up for safety alerts at warncentraltexas.org.
Preparing for fires
Disaster preparation expert Bob Newman, a retired Navy SEAL master chief, recommends a few steps for those with no safety plan yet:
First, plan emergency evacuation routes from your home.
Communicate with all members of the household to ensure everyone knows the routes.
Gather tools to use in case of emergency.
Read the instructions on new items so that if the time comes, people can use the tools quickly and correctly.
Pack a survival kit
Newman also recommends everyone gather some basic survival tools they can use in an emergency. He said people should search for a survival kit online and read reviews to decide what works best for their needs. If they don't know where to start, the basics include:
Bottled water to take with you during evacuation or a water sanitizer to ensure access to drinkable water.
High-powered flashlight.
Something to generate heat in case the weather gets cold.
Emergency blankets.
Multiuse tools with folding knives and other tools.
In addition, it's a good idea to prepare prescriptions, important documents and pet supplies to include in the survival kit as well. Putting valuable items in a fireproof box also ensures extra protection.
Protecting property
Stafford also recommends using the forest service website's resources and these tips for protecting your home:
Use fire-resistant landscaping to prevent the spread of wildfires.
Use fire-resistant construction materials, such as certain roofing, wall materials and windows, to reduce a home's risk.
Improve access for emergency responders by having clear street signs, addresses and accessible roads.
She also encourages people to keep up with current fire activity on the forest service's website or social media pages.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Pflugerville Fire Department has responded to 21 fires since June
