On August 30, 2011, the Texas Forest Service announced that four of the Big 12 football coaches have joined forces to create a public service announcement urging Texans to do their part in preventing forest fires.
"When it comes to protecting Texas, we're all on the same team," the coaches proclaim in the spot that features Texas A& M coach Mike Sherman; University of Texas coach Mack Brown; Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville; and Baylor coach Art Briles.
The message is important as approximately 90% of Texas wildfires have human origins. The smallest incident in a drought-plagued landscape is enough to spark a fire, such as an unattended campfire, chains dragging behind a truck, or a spark from a barbecue grill.
The message is also an urgent one. According to April Saginor, Communications Specialist with the Texas Forest Service, the drought conditions in Texas have created a landscape that is "so hot and dry that any little spark can cause a wildfire."
Texas Wildfires Continue to Burn
In a rather prophetic coincidence, over the past two days, the Texas Forest Service responded to calls for assistance on twelve new, large forest fires raging across the drought-ravaged landscape of Texas, including a fire in Palo Pinto County's Possum Kingdom, the location of April's massive wildfire that burned 160 homes and 127,000 acres in three counties.
The current Palo Pinto county 101 Ranch Fire, which started on August 30, 2011, has now burned 6500 acres, 39 homes and 9 RV's. The fires continues to threaten 300-400 homes.
These are not the only wildfires burning in Texas. The first responders to Texas wildfires are local Volunteer Fire Departments who call on the Texas Forest Service when the fire is beyond their control.
Since the beginning of the Texas wildfire season in November of 2010, the Texas Forest Service and area fire departments have responded to 20,155 fires burning 3,529,261 acres, not including the damage that will be created by the fires started since August 30, 2011. Of the 254 counties in the State of Texas, 251 are currently reporting burn bans.
Actor Kyle Chandler also Volunteered His Time for Texas
Actor Kyle Chandler, who played Texas coach Eric Taylor in the television series Friday Night Lights, recently volunteered for a similar series of public service announcements urging Texas residents to donate to the Texas Wildfire Relief Fund and volunteer to their local fire departments. Chandler's public service announcements, recorded for both radio and television, will be released this fall.
The new public service announcement, featuring Mike Sherman, Mack Brown, Art Briles and Tommy Tuberville, can be viewed on You Tube. It is also available to broadcast and media stations for download from the agency’s electronic newsroom.
Darla Sue Dollman - Darla Sue Dollman, BA, MFA, has expertise in classic films, the Old West, boating, and animals.
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