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Texas A&M Forest Service helps fight forest fires in the Northwest
The Texas A&M Forest Service dispatched approximately 45 of its employees to help fight forest fires in the western United States.
Austin, Texas – Texas firefighters are in the western states trying to contain forest fires before they destroy more homes.
“There are 108 large fires currently burning and they have burned over 2 million acres,” said Erin O’Connor, public information officer for the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The Texas A&M Forest Service dispatched approximately 45 of its employees to help fight forest fires in the western United States. “We currently have staff in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington,” said O’Connor
Dozer crews, engine crews and overhead support teams work up to 16 hours a day – sometimes they wander through rough terrain to save houses from growing flames.
Extreme wildfire in Oregon causes officials to seek assistance
The Oregon Bootleg Fire is becoming the biggest fire this year affecting the east coast, creating its own weather affecting officials.
“When we send staff out of the state, they are usually away between 14 and 21 days, and then they come back in and may go out, or we send other staff to take their places and do the like.” a crew swap, “said O’Connor.
The Dixie Fire in Northern California has already burned 200 square miles and forced thousands to evacuate their homes. Strong winds and dry vegetation make the fight difficult. The forest service said under these conditions it is easy for fires to outperform extinguishing efforts.
“You are in drought conditions right now. And then you couple that with hot and dry, warm conditions, lower humidity, lower amounts of precipitation, and you start to create this fire environment, which is only conducive to fire activity and burning. “Said Connor.
Fortunately, there has been more rain in Texas this summer, which keeps the risk of forest fires lower than usual.
Forest fires break out in the western United States due to hot, dry weather
Crews in western states like Utah and Arizona are working to contain forest fires and some cities are being ordered to evacuate.
“Our activity level is currently well below normal. So we are able to send some staff out of the state as we are not very active in the state at the moment, ”said O’Connor.
However, the forest service assumes that the forest fire season in the west will continue into autumn.
Unless conditions change and the risk in Texas increases, Forest Service staff will continue traveling west in the coming months.
“So that we can help our colleagues in the West, just as they have done for us in the past,” said O’Connor.
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