Anticipated influx of eclipse visitors increases risk of wildfires
EAST TEXAS (KLTV) - While everyone’s eyes are glued to the sky on April 8 for the total solar eclipse, experts remind visitors to be aware of potential fire hazards on the ground. Campfires, charcoal grills and the hot undersides of parked vehicles are all potential risks to start a wildfire.
“Campfires and those camp grills and what not, they do cause wildfires, and the main thing is is just to be mindful of if you are burning something, you know, you want to be present – you don’t have to watch it the entire time but be present and aware of it,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Public Information Officer Sean Dugan.
The time of day also factors into the risk.
“As the afternoon wears on and things, you know, the sun comes out, the wind picks up, the relative humidity goes down, that’s when these fires flare up and then get out of control,” said Dugan.
In East Texas, the eclipse will reach totality when these conditions are likely.
Dugan also recommended people avoid parking in tall, dry grass.
“Folks will be parking their vehicles in fields and things like that, and the underside of a vehicle can get extremely hot right there with the exhaust, the catalytic converter,” he said.
Asphalt, dirt, gravel and mowed fields should be safe, and Dugan said to be smart about parking even if it is just to stop to watch the few minutes of totality.
The bottom line is to stay aware of your surroundings and make sure the excitement of the natural phenomena does not eclipse good judgment and safety.
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