Texas A&M Forest Service

Hemphill County Judge Lisa Johnson met this week with Texas A&M Forest Service leadership, including Area Operations Chief Lee Andersen, Director Al Davis, Judge Johnson, and Deputy Director Wes Moorehead (in photo). The group discussed resources, VFD grant funding, mitigation efforts and their requests for the next legislative session. TFS is in the process of purchasing nine additional aircraft to be stationed in Abilene and the surrounding area. These aircraft would be available should Hemphill County or surrounding communities need them. 

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – On Tuesday, April 2, Texas A&M Forest Service held the second of three funding meetings of fiscal year 2024 for the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, awarding 74 grants totaling approximately $1.3 million.

Grant funding from the program will help Texas rural volunteer fire department recipients from this allocation purchase equipment such as dry hydrants, fire and rescue equipment, personal protective equipment and training aids.

Texans asked to conserve energy in heat wave
The agency that operates the power grid for much of the state asked Texans to conserve energy use several times last week as the grid was beset with high demand and low wind-power generation, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has asked electric users to reduce energy use as the state continues to face a tenacious heat wave. 

COLLEGE STATION — On Friday, a helicopter delivering water to the 150-acre Barth Fire in Caldwell County almost collided with a drone that came within feet of the aircraft.

Drones are a serious safety hazard for both the aviation resources as well as the firefighters on the ground and can cause a serious or fatal accident if they collide with firefighting aircraft.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — A combination of above-normal temperatures, low humidity, dry fuel and strong winds will create the potential for extreme fire conditions across large portions of the state early this week.

Today, conditions capable of producing large fires are expected across the Western Plains, including Canadian, Childress, Amarillo and Lubbock.