With hot, dry conditions continuing across most of the region and weekend of temperatures nearing the century mark, the number of area counties approaching extreme drought conditions has increased.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures the moisture level in grasses and trees, has increased to a moderate drought reading of between 500-600 for most area counties. Only Waller County remains at the 400-500 level.
DROUGHT CONDITIONS INCREASING – Drought conditions are increasing for area counties as shown on today’s updated Keetch-Byram Drought Index from the Texas Forest Service.
As the heat continues to build throughout the Katy area, fire authorities say the hot temperatures, steady winds and lack of rainfall are combining to significantly increase the danger of brush and grass fires. A number of counties are responding to the increased fire danger by instituting burn bans.
As of this morning, the Texas Forest Service is reporting 90 of Texas’ 254 counties have already instituted burn bans.
A week ago, Galveston was the only southeast Texas county with a burn ban in place. Since that time, nine other area counties have approved burn bans.
In addition to Galveston, burn bans are now in place for the counties of Chambers, Colorado, Fayette, Hardin, Lee, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda and Walker. This week, three other area counties have burn bans on their respective commissioners court agendas.
Later today, Austin County Commissioners are expected to enact a burn ban for that county. On Tuesday, county commissioners in Harris and Waller counties will consider similar bans. In Harris County, the prohibition would affect only unincorporated areas for a period of up to 90 days.
Rainfall data from the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management continues to reflect the growing drought conditions.
No rainfall has been reported for almost a month at any of the county’s rain gauges in the western part of the county.
The National Weather Service is predicting little relief from sweltering conditions this week. Today’s expected high is 98 degrees under sunny skies.
Highs for the remainder of the week are expected to break the 100 mark, climbing to as high as 103 on Thursday.
The chances for rain remain at 10 percent or less for the entire week.
By: John Pape on Mon, Jun 22, 2009
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