October 2011
Lake Travis
Economic Impact Report

The 4th of July is one of my favorite times of year with friends, families, and neighbors coming together to celebrate.  Recently, however, those same people have been coming together under very different circumstances – to help in recovery from wildfires.   

The “exceptional” drought and frequent fires have elevated awareness and caution around fire-starting elements.  It took only sparks to ignite the recent large fires in Oak Hill, Leander, the Hamilton Pool Road area, and the Bell Springs Road area, along with countless smaller fires.  We are indeed highly vulnerable to wildfire and persistent weather trends continue to increase this risk.

Western Travis County is among the most at-risk because of the concentration of population located in the midst of dense cedar-covered hills with many winding, narrow and dead-end streets.  Emergency equipment must be able to drive through or turn around or it cannot go down a street to fight a fire.   It is extremely important that all residents assess their fire risks and develop their own emergency plans.  Simple steps, now, may help you prepare yourself in the event of a fire.  On the Travis County Fire Marshal website (provided below), there are resourceful guides and checklists.  Be prepared.  Have an evacuation plan.   Know what your response will be because it may not be a matter of if, but when.   Don’t assume that you are safe because your yard is green and undeveloped areas are neither adjacent nor nearby.  A home that burned in the Oak Hill fire that was blocks away from the fire had green yards and trees around it, a metal roof, and very little cedar.  Strong winds can carry embers a long way and something as simple as dead leaves in a rain gutter can catch a dwelling on fire.

I don’t want to sound like doom and gloom, but we have conditions that we’ve not experienced here in recent history.  One almost has to see it to believe it.  I know.  Though a native Texan, I lived in California for a while and a wildfire in San Diego County carried ash (the size of your hand!) over 5 miles and blanketed our yard.  Just imagine how far it carried the burning embers!  We don’t want to be caught unprepared.

To that end, on Tuesday, June 14, Travis County declared a local state of disaster, and prohibited the sale and use of fireworks within Travis County.  Putting a fireworks ban in place is no easy task for a county in Texas.  Legal statutes only allow a full ban by a county for 60 hours.  Extension of that must be by decree of the Governor.  Fortunately, the Governor has extended the Travis County ban to 7 a.m. on July 5th.  However, it is highly likely that our exceptional drought conditions will persist past that deadline.  A recent five-year study shows the annual highest incidences of fires caused by fireworks range from several days before to several days after July 4th.  If extreme fire conditions still persist on July 5th, the Travis County Commissioners Court is prepared to do whatever is needed to keep our communities safe. 

Additionally, Travis County Emergency Services Districts have beefed up their training and coordination for working with wildfires.  StarFlight has purchased additional equipment to improve their ability to deliver water more quickly.  The coordination with Austin Fire Department and those in other counties has already proven to work well.  The County is doing all it can and everyone is working together.  But a word of note, our resources could be spread thin if too many fires are working at the same time.  We all need to be vigilant and help keep them from starting in the first place.  Travis County is committed to enforcing the ban on the sale and use of fireworks and anyone witnessing a violation should immediately call 911.

This 4th of July season, as we come together to celebrate our nation’s heritage, its land, its people, let’s keep in mind that it has been our coming together – to celebrate in good times and help each other in bad times – that has made this nation what it truly is – strong, proud, caring and courageous.  I will miss the fireworks this year, but I will find comfort in knowing that we are all pulling together to keep our communities safe.

Travis County Fire Marshall:  http://www.co.travis.tx.us/fire_marshal
My contact information: Karen.Huber@co.travis.tx.us or 512-854-9333

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