Brownwood News –  This weekend significant wildfire potential will increase across West and Central Texas as temperatures remain near 100 degrees and wind speeds increase to 10 to 15 mph. Due to the emerging drought, hot temperatures and limited rainfall this week, cured grasses and brush are highly receptive to ignitions and burning.

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Texas A&M Forest Service is monitoring the situation and forecasts probable wildfire activity from Saturday through Monday. The greatest potential is likely to occur Sunday when winds speeds are highest.

“The combination of hot temperatures, emerging drought and increased wind speeds will make new fires more difficult to control,” said Luke Kanclerz, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Analyst.

A large area of Central and West Texas could be impacted. Areas around Childress, Abilene, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, Del Rio, San Angelo and Wichita Falls will have the greatest potential.

As of Sept. 5, 161 counties are under burn bans. Burn bans are put in place by a county judge or county commissioner when drought and weather conditions exist that make outdoor burning unsafe. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages residents even in counties that are not under a burn ban to refrain from any outdoor burning until conditions improve.