Texas drought continues, fuels wildfires

Drought-like conditions and the threat of wildfires continue in much of Texas, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Forest Service personnel according to Hay and Forage Grower.

On Tuesday, the Forest Service warned of “extremely critical fire weather conditions west of Big Bend, San Angelo and Wichita Falls, including major cities such as Lubbock, Childress, Abilene, Midland, Odessa and Amarillo.” The elevated threat was due to higher-than-normal temperatures and winds, low relative humidity and a plentitude of dry grass in pastures and rangeland.

Meanwhile, much of the rest of the state remains dry, including South Texas.

“Coming into March, South Texas received less than 25% of the normal rainfall,” says Megan Dominguez, AgriLife Extension range specialist in Corpus Christi. “A lot of the farmers and ranchers are concerned, and there's been some delay in crop planting.”

The Southwest Texas region is about 8” below the long-term average for moisture accumulation since Aug. 1, and some counties in the far western part of the state haven’t reported measurable rainfall for more than 165 days.

Campers and boondockers should be extra careful with campfires and camping near expecially dry brushland.

Save money with Texas State Parks pass

If you camp often in Texas State Parks, and meet certainly eligibility requirements, you can probably save money with a Texas State Parks Pass. As a passholder, you and your guests can enjoy unlimited visits to more than 90 State Parks, without paying the daily entrance fee (card holder and physical pass must be present). You can also receive exciting discounts on camping (restrictions apply), park store merchandise and recreational equipment rentals and are eligible for other specials. Check at any state park for details.

Among the benefits:
--Persons 65 years of age and over and Texas residents are entitled to 50 percent reduced entry rounded to the next whole dollar.

--Veterans of the US Armed Services holding a 60 percent or more service connected disability (as determined by the US Veterans Administration). US Veterans meeting these eligibility criteria will receive waived entry fees to state parks where entrance fees are collected.

--Individuals who have been medically determined to be permanently disabled as a result of a mental or physical impairment (including blindness) for purposes of receiving benefits under the Social Security Act and who are currently receiving those benefits. These individuals will be entitled to 50 percent reduced entry rounded to the next whole dollar.