DALHART, Texas — Wildland firefighters from Idaho were recently deployed to North Texas to offer support as "current conditions in Texas are primed for extreme fire behavior," reports the Idaho Department of Lands.
31 firefighters and 9 engines are prepositioned in Dalhart, where the wildfire risk is currently rated 9/10 by the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Watch how Idaho firefighters assist Texas:
“Fires happen when they happen and we’ll be ready to respond to them nationwide,” said Kane SteinBruecker, chief fire warden for the Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protective Association.
The crews were briefed in Amarillo upon arrival before taking their positions.
"Firefighters from IDL, SITPA, and CPTPA have arrived in Texas to support ongoing wildfire response efforts." - Idaho Department of Lands
South in San Antonio, the high today is forecasted to be 87°F.
“We assist our partners almost year-round it seems,” said SteinBruecker. “We can’t do it all on our own. Not one agency can provide a response large enough to provide an adequate level of protection all on their own so it’s excellent to see these partnerships forming.”
According to the Idaho Department of Lands, "low relative humidity, high temperatures, and dry, receptive fuels are increasing the potential for rapid fire growth."
