(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 01, 2009 ) COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The Texas Forest Service (TFS) is urging citizens across the state to be aware of heightened wildfire danger due to a low pressure front that will drop humidity levels and produce high winds.

Tom Spencer, TFS predictive services department head, said these conditions could lead to wildfires that spread quickly, pose containment problems and endanger public safety.

Though the state saw some precipitation earlier this week, prolonged drought conditions have not improved. In fact, the freezing temperatures only caused drought-cured grasses to become even drier.

TFS Predictive Services Department forecasts that through the month of February, fuels, such as grasses and trees, are expected to remain critically dry.

Over the past seven days, TFS has responded to five wildfires for 371 acres. According to an online database managed by TFS, fire departments have reported 163 wildfires for 7,899 since last Friday.

For more information on fire advisories and area conditions, go to http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu and click on Fire Danger/Advisories.

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Contact:
Misty Wilburn
Communications Specialist
mwilburn@tfs.tamu.edu
979-458-7349


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Contact Information:
Texas Forest Service
Misty Wilburn
Tel: 979-458-7349
Email us