Holiday Heads-Up from the Texas Forest Service

With much of the state supporting heavy accumulations of grass and other vegetation thanks to early summer rains, firefighters across the state urge outdoor users to exercise caution with outdoor fire use during the upcoming Labor Day holiday period. A state fire control leader warns that the abundant vegetation could fuel dangerous wildfires if vegetation dries further and people get careless with campfires, barbecue pits, smoking materials and other outdoor fire use.

"Outdoor users should note that the high temperatures and relatively dry period we've experienced since early August have stressed vegetation and dried out ground litter enough to where careless fire and equipment use could lead to increased wildfire occurrence," said Tom Spencer, fire risk assessment coordinator with the Texas Forest Service.

Spencer suggested several safety precautions for those who plan to take advantage of the three-day weekend to recreate in the outdoors.

* Make sure barbecue coals are dead out prior to disposal.

* Never transport barbecue pits with live coals or burning embers.

* Establish a wide firebreak around any campfire prior to igniting and stay with your fire until it is completely extinguished.

* When traveling, crush and discard your smoking materials in your vehicle's ash tray, not out a window. When away from your vehicle, crush smokes in bare dirt and either carry out or bury the remains in mineral soil.

"Vegetation may not be as dry as it was this time last year across much of the state, but everyone still needs to exercise caution to prevent wildfires from occurring, " said Spencer.