With unending normal temperature of over 100 degrees, abnormally low relative humidity, thoroughly dry vegetative fuels ready to burn, wildfires exhibiting extreme fire behavior, and, to top it all off, a hurricane, the Southern United States has endured an difficult summer.
Fires and warm summers are not uncommon in the South. Joint participation in responding to and putting out wildfires is also lacking. However, this summer has been anything but typical, and this August’s fires in Louisiana were extraordinary.
Wade Dubea, a Louisiana State Forester, stated that” we’ve had temperatures over 100 degrees with low relative humidity, occasionally dipping into the teens ,” for more than 40 days. This is a record-breaking temperature for Louisiana, which usually experiences wetter, temperate weather.
Growing up in Louisiana, Lisa Lewis, the forest supervisor for the USDA Forest Service’s Kisatchie National Forest, claimed she had never seen weather that was” so hot, but dry, for so much.” She appreciates the cooperation between the USDA Forest Service, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and partners, having provided big air tankers, another plane, and hundreds of support personnel. She recognizes that no one agency may survive such a wildfire response tempo given the prolonged weather conditions.
The Southern Area continues to be the top priority geographic area for wildfires nationally, according to the National Incident Management Situation Report( IMSR ), a summary of wildland fire and all-hazard activity across the nation. This year marks the first time on record that the Southern Area has been the major national priority area for wildfire response during this time of year, when generally the West has experienced the most important fire activity, underscoring an now prominent North American summer fire season.
In actuality, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the only day the Southern Area was given top priority on the IMSR during the month of August.
The same areas in Louisiana where Hurricanes Delta and Laura left on a lot of downed trees and dirt in 2020 are where many wildfires are raging this summer. The amount of available vegetal fuels and how likely they are to lose have an impact on the severity of the fireplace environment, creating a conflagration for fire conditions. This worry spreads throughout the Southeast, where destructive hurricane have created and continue to create conditions that encourage fire.
The environment around fire is serious. Similar circumstances were simply observed in 2000, but this year, wildfires have spread to over 10,000 acres, spread quickly, and cause significant king fires in the tops of pine trees, according to Dubea. That is completely out of the ordinary for us.
These high-intensity wildfires are having extremely negative effects on the environment as well.
According to Mandy Chumley, USDA Forest Service National Forests and Grasslands in Texas Public Affairs Specialist,” going up after a fire and seeing the devastation below, it actually looks as if one was dropped.” ” What is exceptional for me is the power of the flames and the effects on the scenery.”
Since January 1, 2023, 4, 279 fire have burned 165, 837 land in Texas. 942 of these 112, 091-acre wildfires were attended to by Texas A & M Forest Service personnel.
For perspective, 151 wildfires are typically attended to by Texas A & M Forest Service firefighters in August. Agency rescuers responded to 519 fires in the quarter of this year. Similar to this, in August 2019 – 2022 Louisiana saw an average of 34 wildfires covering 295 acres, compared to 555 in 2023 covering roughly 53,464 acres.
These fires have also sparked a massive reply. An interagency agreement that enables improved personnel and equipment resource movement between states was activated on August 24 by Al Davis, Texas A & M Forest Service Director and Chair of the South Central Forest Fire Compact.
According to Shardul Raval, fire and aviation management director for the Southern Region of the Forest Service,” We are supporting local fire resources and the Texas A & M Forest Services to improve conditions in Texas.” The joint comment has been effective.
There are 322 employees, 131 pieces of equipment from 36 state property management companies, and 52 plane staged and helping with flames response in Texas. More than 690 firefighters from Texas A & M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, including those sent to help with the Louisiana wildfire response, are also responding.
” Texas and Louisiana are experiencing an unparalleled rainfall right now. Fortunately, thanks to our recommended fireplace system, fires on Texas’ National Forest and Grasslands have remained relatively low, according to Kimpton Cooper, supervisor of the Texas Forest Department’s USDA Forest Service. ” This has made it possible for the NFGT to provide floor tools, bulky machinery, and plane to our state and federal partners in order to safeguard the communities we serve. It is amazing how well says, communities, and federal agencies cooperate with one another across borders. In these ancient times, the NFGT is proud to work with excellent companions and excellent organizations.
Dubea responded,” We are grateful for the support Louisiana has received from so many corners of this land ,” when asked if his state has all the fire resources it needs. Right now, the only thing we really need is some rainfall.
Early October may see a seasonal climate change, according to Texas A & M Forest Service Fire Analysts. This change might lower heat and possibly result in some much-needed rain.
