Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 636
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer
972-548-4772
publicrelations@collincountytx.gov

July 21, 2004

Collin County currently considered a Moderate Fire Danger area

( McKinney , TX ) – Collin County is currently considered a Moderate Fire Danger area, according to a drought index. The same index predicts the county to move into a High Fire Danger area sometime over the next 14 days.

“Unless we receive a substantial amount of rain, I will ask for the Commissioners Court to issue a burn ban around the second week of August,” says Collin County Fire Marshal Steve Deffibaugh. “The combination of low humidity and a wind of at least 10 miles per hour increases our dangers of wildland fire.”

The Fire Marshal's Office uses a mathematical system for relating current and recent weather conditions to potential or expected fire behavior. The system is called the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) and was originally developed for the southeastern United States . It is based primarily on recent rainfall patterns.

The KBDI is the most widely used drought index system for fire managers in the south. It is also one of the only drought index systems specifically developed to equate the effects of drought with potential fire activities.

The result of this system is a drought index number ranging from 0-800 that accurately describes the amount of moisture that is missing. A rating of zero defines the point where there is no moisture deficiency and 800 is the maximum drought possible.

The levels listed below relate the expected fire conditions and suppression problems with varying KBDI levels.

Wild land fire dangers are more prone in the afternoon and early evening when the humidity levels drop and winds increase.

KEETCH-BRYAM DROUGHT INDEX

LOW FIRE DANGER 0-200 Soil and fuel moisture are high. Most fuels will not readily ignite or burn. However, with sufficient sunlight and wind, cured grasses and some light surface fuels will burn in spots and patches.

MODERATE FIRE DANGER 200-400 Fires more readily burn and will carry across an area with no “gaps”. Heavier fuels will still not readily ignite and burn. Also expect smoldering and the resulting smoke to carry into and possibly through the night.

HIGH FIRE DANGER 400-600 Fire intensity begins to significantly increase. Fires will readily burn in all directions exposing mineral soils in some locations. Larger fuels may burn or smolder for several days creating possible smoke and control problems.

EXTREME FIRE DANGER 600-800 Surface litter and most organic layer is consumed; 1000 hour fuels contribute to intensity. Stumps will burn to the end roots underground. Any dead snag will ignite. Spotting from snags is a major problem if close to line. Expect dead limbs on trees to ignite from sparks. Expect extreme intensity on all fires, which makes control efforts difficult. With winds above 10 mph, spotting is the rule. Expect increased need for resources for fire suppression. Direct initial attack is almost impossible. Only rapid response time to wildfire with complete mop-up and patrol will prevent a major fire situation from developing.

The current Collin County KBDI mean is 335. Unless the county receives significant rainfall, the range is expected to increase to at least 400 over the next two weeks.

(For additional information, contact the Fire Marshal's Office at 972-548-5589.)

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