Outdoor Tips to avoid wildfires
Join Erath County Master Gardeners at our annual Christmas lunch and master gardener intern meet and greet to learn more about TAMU AgriLife and the master gardener training and nternship program.
When: Thursday, December 1, 12:30 pm Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Research Extension, 1229 N. US Hwy 281, Stephenville The next training program starts February 2, 2023.
For details, call Texas AgriLife Extension Service at 254.965.1460.
TAMU AgriLife master gardener training starts February 2, 2023. Whether you know a little about gardening or a lot, AgriLife’s master gardener training and internship can give you what you need to become a certified master gardener. Classes are conducted by AgriLife specialists and certified master gardeners. The training includes more than 50 hours of instruction covering Earth-Kind landscaping, plant pathology, water and soil types, entomology, rainwater harvesting, and growing, vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and trees.
The first class is February 2, from 8am to 1pm at Texas A&M AgriLife Research Extension, 1229 N. US Hwy 281, Stephenville. Subsequent classes will meet every Thursday through mid-April 2023 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For details, call Texas AgriLife Extension Service at 254.965.1460.
Recent rainfall has helped increase the amount of moisture in vegetation across the Texas landscape and reduced wildfire activity.
But even when wildfire activity is low, the possibility of an ignition is a concern. It only takes one spark to start a wildfire, and hunters are encouraged to be cautious outdoors.
Some tips to help avoid starting a wildfire while hunting and camping this fall include: ■ Avoid driving over and parking on dry grass. The heat from your vehicle can easily ignite the grass.
■ Always check with local officials for burn bans or other outdoor burning restrictions.
■ Each county in Texas sets and lifts their own burn bans. Make sure you know your county’s burn ban status and if it restricts open flames and other heat-causing activities such as using charcoal. View the latest burn ban map here: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/ burnbans/.
■ Never leave a cooking fire or campfire unattended, and always make sure it is completely out by drowning it, stirring it and feeling to ensure that it is out cold before you leave.
■ When taking a trailer out on your adventures, make sure that the tires are properly inflated, chains will not contact the road and that any loose metal will not continually hit anything else, all which can cause sparks.
■ Always be ready to put out a fire should one start. Have a shovel and water with you in camp and always have a fire extinguisher with you. For additional information about preventing wildfires this hunting season, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/ HuntingFireSafety/.