Posted: Thu, 7 Apr 2011 10:22 AM - 14,976 Readers

By: KGNB Radio

Still sitting at 2½-feet above the Stage 1 Trigger level, South Central Texas residents remain on the cusp of the first water restrictions of the year. And the lack of significant rain over the last 6 months is also putting many residents at risk of fire.

Burn bans are in place for most of the state, including nearly all of South-Central Texas. And breezy conditions the remainder of this week have pushed the fire danger level into the critical category. Temperatures over the next few days will near 90 degrees, with low humidity, gusty winds, and very dry grass and brush, and firefighters statewide are warning residents to be extra careful with stray sparks and flames. Watch BBQ pits carefully, don’t throw cigarette butts out the car window, and welders should be extra cautious.

State authorities are already coordinating with local first responders in case a large wildfire breaks out, with state resources placed in key areas, ready to be sent wherever they are needed. The Texas Forest Service says that so far this year wildfires have charred more than 581-thousand acres and destroyed about 600 structures across the state