Denton County banned all outdoor burning Wednesday, Aug. 12, issuing a Red Flag Warning that applies countywide, including Flower Mound and Highland Village.
The county's alert center posted the warning at 4:32 p.m., citing a lack of rain and dry conditions. The ban has no set end date and remains in effect until further notice.
The warning landed on the first day of school for area students, with families outdoors and active as temperatures hit the lower triple digits. Heat indices reached 104 degrees Wednesday, with gusts of 30 to 35 mph, according to CBS Texas meteorologist Michael Autovino.
Fire danger is forecast to peak Thursday, Aug. 13, reaching extreme levels.
As we reported Aug. 5, the Texas A&M Forest Service had already declared extreme fire danger for Denton County. Wednesday's Red Flag Warning from the county itself reinforces that earlier declaration with a formal burning prohibition.
Local fire crews stretched thin
Flower Mound Fire Department Deputy Chief Brandon Barth, who also serves as regional coordinator of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, was in College Station on Wednesday coordinating the deployment of municipal fire resources to wildfires burning across Texas.
"We have several different resources out right now on various strike teams and heavy equipment resources that are out supporting the state mission," Barth told NBC 5 DFW.
Denton-area crews helped fight the 300-acre Saxon Fire in Burnet County on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Denton Battalion Chief David Boots told NBC 5 DFW the department has nine fire stations, nine fire engines and four brush trucks available for wildfire response and plans to staff extra personnel on brush trucks on anticipated red flag days.
What residents should do
Denton Fire Captain Hunter Lott warned residents that grills should be outside of patios and away from wooden fences. The National Weather Service advises extinguishing any outdoor fires by drowning them with water and stirring until everything is cold to the touch.
Additional fire safety steps:
- Dispose of cigarettes properly; never discard them on roadsides
- Trim vegetation and keep tree limbs 7 to 10 feet off the ground
- Keep combustibles away from homes
- Avoid parking on dry grass, where hot car parts can ignite vegetation
- Report any smoke or fire immediately
Residents can sign up for Denton County emergency alerts at dentoncounty.gov/AlertCenter.
