City, county officials warn of wildfire dangers ahead of summer
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As we near the hot summer months and May marks National Wildfire Awareness Month, Austin and Travis County officials held a press conference on Tuesday to encourage Austinites to take precautions to protect themselves and their homes from wildfires.
Leaders highlighted that the number of people who could be impacted by a wildfire has increased as Austin continues to see population growth. The city has moved to fifth in the nation for the number of homes at risk of wildfire, officials said.
“Wildfires can spread incredibly fast, so we encourage people to take precautions to keep a fire from sparking,” said Austin HSEM Director Jim Redick. “To protect against wildfires from spreading, please create a defensible space around your home by clearing brush and debris and harden your home by using or switching to non-combustible materials for fences, decks, and balconies.”
A feature highlighted by officials was the “Read, Set, Go!” program that launched in summer 2023. The program is aimed at educating the public on wildfire preparedness. Emergency messaging was also created for the program that allows those who are signed up to receive wildfire messages from Warn Central Texas.
Leaders said that more than 80% of wildfires are started by people. They highlighted just a few ways that wildfires can start which include:
- Discarded cigarettes
- Improper use of an outdoor grill
- Unattended campfires
- Dragging tow trailer chains on the ground
- Park vehicles on tall, dry grass
The press conference also discussed how susceptible a home or business is to a wildfire depending on the materials used in its construction. Officials highlighted areas of your home to consider the types of building materials used including:
- Balconies and decks
- Roofs
- Eaves
- Vents
- Walls and fencing
- Windows and doors
Austin HSEM will provide additional wildfire information at its next Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up event on May 21 at the Menchchaca Branch Library from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
