TYLER (KYTX) - Cass County is the only county under a burn ban in East Texas, but Friday, June 1, 25 grass fires have broken out in Smith County alone. Even with a slight chance of rain to keep some grass fires at bay, firemen said some of these fires are completely preventable. CBS 19's Amanda Roberson has more on the fires and how to prevent them.
"If we don't get sufficient rain, we're going to have problems," explained Noonday Fire Dept. Assistant Chief Jonathan McClish. He said the mild grass fire season is nice, compared to this time last year, with a stretch of 100 degree days and a drought. "We don't want to go through a season like last year "
But firemen aren't out of the woods completely. Noonday Fire spent seven hours Sunday fighting a controlled burn that got out of control. "Should be paying attention to your burn," McClish said. "Don't be lighting something on fire and go inside and sit down."
"Even in the smoldering stages it needs to be accompanied at all times," added Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton.
Controlled burns getting out of hand are the number one cause of grass fires in East Texas, but Seaton said thinking ahead before you burn can make all the difference. "Be prepared, make yourself a plan, to take care of it. Have a cell phone with you to call help, have a means of extinguishment."
One concerns this season is high grass. In some places more than seven feet high. While there has been some rain this season, it's also meant denser vegetation. If the area should enter a drought and the dense grass dies off, it's going to create a high fuel load and send those wildfires blazing even more.
"Flames will be a lot bigger," McClish added.
When it comes to burning, especially large burns, McClish said tell your local fire department before you do and don't hesitate to call if things start to look dangerous. "If it gets too big or it looks like it's going to get out of control, call 911. That's what we're here for. We're here to protect our community."
Seaton said those 25 grass fires this past week have been spread throughout the county, which means the entire area is drying up. The drought index for Smith County is under a 500 score right now. Burn bans start being discussed when that number nears 600.
You can monitor that drought index every day and see how close your county is to that 600 mark on the drought index scale. Click here.
