by Alex Sanz / 11 News
khou.com
Posted on June 1, 2010 at 7:39 PM
WILLIS, Texas -- Willis firefighters are bracing for a tough summer as Montgomery County prepares to deal with prolonged and near-record drought conditions.
The biggest fear is a repeat of last year, according to Jimmy Williams, the Montgomery County Fire Marshal.
He said 2009 was an especially dry year in Montgomery County and the fire danger was exceptionally high. One in ten trees was dying and firefighters were brought in from out of state to battle forest fires.
"There is no moisture left in the ground," Williams said. "At this point [the dead, dry material] will readily ignite and burn."
Firefighters had responded to several grass fires by Tuesday, including one at the home of Wayburn Castleschouldt.
"[It's] the driest I've seen it this early," he said. "I imagine somebody threw a cigarette out."
Castleschouldt, who has lived in the same home outside of Willis since 1985, said he'd seen bad conditions before, just not this bad.
"We haven't even had a sprinkle," he said. "People say there is no such thing as global warming. Hell, I can plant a garden in January now."
Forecasters at the National Weather Service in League City said long-range models predicted a dome of high pressure would move over the area as early as this weekend and keep conditions dry.
Williams said Montgomery County would likely have to consider a burn ban by mid-June if conditions stayed dry.
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