March 21:  No warnings or advisories in place today, but the burn ban remains high and wind gusts above 20 mph are in the forecast for the next few days. Any fires could still spread quickly. Please continue to do your part to reduce fire risk.

 

March 19:  Caldwell County will be under a Red Flag Warning from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. on Wednesday due to critical fire weather that includes wind gusts of up to 35 mph and dry to extremely dry conditions thanks to dry, high winds from a front moving into the area. 

The county doesn't exist in a vacuum, and Red Flag Warnings have been in place for multiple days several miles to the west of us. Fire activity has increased in our area despite a lack of official warnings for Caldwell County from the National Weather Service.

Please help mitigate fire risk for yourself and your neighbors by:

• Abiding by the Burn Ban
• Avoiding activities that could cause a spark, such as welding
• Making sure tow chains are not dragging the pavement
• Not idling your vehicles in the grass
• No tossing cigarette butts onto the ground
• Making sure your tires are in good condition.

 

March 14:  There is now a Red Flag Warning in effect for Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. in addition to the warning currently in effect that expires at 9 p.m. tonight.

 

March 13:  A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Caldwell County from noon-9 p.m. Friday, March 14 due to critical Fire Weather.  The area remains under a burn ban. Avoid all outdoor burning, keep vehicles off dry grass, properly discard cigarettes and avoid any other activities that could cause a spark, such as welding. A Fire Weather Watch will be in effect on Saturday, March 15.

 

 

March 10: No weather watches, warnings or advisories are in effect at this time, but the emergency outdoor burn ban remains in place. Commissioners will discuss the burn ban at their regular meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 11. Please continue to do your part to mitigate risk of wildfires.

 

March 8: Reminder: Red Flag Warning in place from noon-8 p.m. today. Please respect the emergency burn ban and continue to take steps to avoid wildfires, including making sure your tow chains are not dragging the ground and idling vehicles in dry, tall grass. Continue to avoid activities that could cause a spark such as welding while fire risk remains high.

 

March 7 (Update): The National Weather Service has now issued a Red Flag Warning for Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. Low humidity and high winds increase the potential for widlfires. The original guidance still applies: observe the burn ban, avoid activity that causes sparks, including welding, and be mindful of strong winds that could make traveling in high profile vehicles difficult.

 

 

March 7: The National Weather Service has issued a critical fire weather watch from 8 a.m. Saturday through 8 p.m. Saturday for the area of South Central Texas that includes Caldwell County. Low humidity and breezy winds of 15-25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph are expected. 

Please:

-Observe the burn ban

-Avoid activity that causes sparks, such as welding

-Pay attention to the weather forecast, including potential red flag warnings.

 

March 6:  Breezy south winds and low humidity today will result in continued elevated-to-near-critical fire weather conditions. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor activities that could inadvertently cause a wildfire and continue to respect the emergency burn ban to reduce fire risk for yourself and your neighbors.

 

March 5: The Red Flag Warning has expired, but near critical fire weather conditions still exist, the National Weather Service warns. Fire risk is elevated due to dry air and occasionally gusty north winds. A Rangeland Fire Danger Statement remains in effect from 9 AM until 3 PM for north winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 20 mph and minimum relative humidity values of 15 to 25%.

REMINDER: The emergency burn ban is in effect through Monday, March 10. Please refrain from outdoor burning at this time and continue to avoid outside activities that could cause a spark.

 

March 4:  Reminder: Caldwell County is under a red flag warning today. Please observe the emergency burn ban and be mindful of the high potential for strong winds today. 

The National Weather Service said today brings "dangerous and potentially historic fire weather conditions for wildfires." 

No outdoor burning, folks, and avoid any activities that could cause a spark. Any fires that occur could spread quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 3: A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service and Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden has signed an emergency order prohibiting outdoor burning through March 10.

 

A Wind Advisory has also been issued.

 

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning that takes effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday and will remain in effect through 9 p.m. Tuesday due to low humidity and expected windy conditions from a Pacific cold front and a strong storm system that is expected to move across Texas.

 

A combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures can contributed to extreme fire behavior.

 

Winds between 25-35 mph with gusts of 45-55 mph are expected.

 

Any wildfires that start could rapidly increase in intensity and size and spread quickly.

 

All of South Central Texas is expected to be affected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 2: The US National Weather Service Austin-San Antonio Texas has announced that a fire weather watch is in effect for Tuesday morning in Central Texas, including Caldwell County. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical to extreme conditions for the spread of wildfires are expected. The National Weather Service has advised the public to keep any eye out for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. 

 

A strong storm system and Pacific cold front will move across South Central Texas Tuesday morning. Strong winds and dry air will spread across the region behind the front and continue through Tuesday evening. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph are expected, along with minimum relative humidity dropping to 5 to 15 percent by early afternoon. Winds will decrease and humidity will recover after sunset, reducing the threat below critical levels. 

 

This watch may be upgraded to a Red Flag Warning if observations and model data continue to support the expected conditions.

 

TCEQ prohibits outdoor burning if wind speeds exceed 23 MPH, so do not burn and avoid spark generating activities such as outdoor welding. Fully extinguish cigarettes, secure chains on trailers so they do not drag, do not park on high grass. Call 911 to report wildfires.