Blowing Dust & Extreme Wildfire Danger Warnings in Effect Wednesday

SAN ANGELO – A strong and dry Pacific frontal system is blowing across West Central Texas Wednesday bringing billowing clouds of dust and creating extremely critical wildfire danger region wide especially in the afternoon hours.  

The National Weather Service office in San Angelo has issued two warnings; a Wind Advisory and a Red Flag Warning.  And Tom Green County Commissioners Banned All Outdoor Burning Tuesday. 

The Wind Advisory is in effect from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Strong and sustained West winds of 20 to 35 mph will gust to 45 mph at the surface kicking up that blowing dust for hours region wide. Unsecured objects will be blown around as well.  

The Red Flag Warning is for extreme wildfire danger because of the very dry air mass, gust strong winds and extremely dry fuels.  The Pacific frontal system is very dry air and relative humidities will drop to the teens and combine with those strong winds to create extreme wildfire conditions.  

Any wildfires that ignite will quickly burn out of control and will be very difficult to battle for Volunteer Firefighters and Texas Forest Service Experts.  A Burn Ban is in place in most Concho Valley Counties and all outdoor burning including welding of any kind is highly discouraged.  

A Red Flag Warning means that critical wildfire conditions are occurring.  A combination of strong winds, low humidity and dry fuels will contribute to extreme wildfire behavior.  

This is a serious environmental situation.