ORDER NO. 3 0693 BURN BAN NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES Came to be heard this the 14th day of January, 2008, with a motion made by Commissioner Letz, seconded by Commissioner Oehler. The Court unanimously approved by vote of 3-0-0 to: Authorize NRCS to participate in prescribed burns during a burn ban, and authorize the County Judge to send a copy of that Court Order to the NRCS office, attention Joe Franklin. 3 b X9,3 l• 3a COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REQUEST PLEASE FURNISH ONE ORIGINAL AND TEN (10) COPIES OF THIS REQUEST AND DOCUMENTS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COURT MADE BY: Commissioner Letz MEETING DATE: January 14, 2008 TIME PREFERRED: SUBJECT: Consider, discuss, and take appropriate action on approving Burn Ban notification procedures, updated information for web page and enforcement option for violation of Burn Ban or State law. EXECUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON) NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT: Commissioner Letz ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: IF PERSONNEL MATTER -NAME OF EMPLOYEE: Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows: Meeting scheduled for Mondays: THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY: THIS RQUEST RECEIVED ON: OFFICE: Precinct 3 5:00 PM previous Tuesday @ .M. All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has been prepared for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court Meetings. Your cooperation will be appreciated and contribute towards your request being addressed at the earliest opportunity. See Agenda Request Rules Adopted by Commissioners' Court. Burn Ban Notification Procedures January 14, 2008 When the Commissioner imposes or cancels a Burn Ban the following notification procedures should be followed: Monda~gh FridaX Commissioner notifies Jody Jody emails notice to all parties and calls Kerrville PD Dispatch, Kerr County Sheriffs Dispatch and John Trolinger Kerr County Sheriff's Dispatch will "tone out" all volunteer fire depts. Saturday and Sunday Commissioner notifies Kerr County Sheriff's Dispatch (896-1216) Kerr County Sheriff's Dispatch will "tone out" all volunteer fire depts. If possible Commissioner should send out group email notification, if not notify Jody to send email first thing Monday morning Prescribed Burns Individuals or entities that submit "Prescribed Burn Plans" to Joe Franklin, NRCS/USDA and such plans are approved may conduct "Prescribed Burns" when a burn ban is in effect. Joe Franklin will email the list of individuals or entities that have approved "Prescribed Burn Plans" to Jody. Jody will then distribute the approved list by email to the notification list. Page 1 of 111 Jody Grinstead j From: John D. Trolinger [jtrolinger@co. kerr.tx.us ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~_ ..___ _..._ _ __.~ _ Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 1:51 PM To: Jody Grinstead Cc: boehler@co.kerr.tx.us; 'Bill Williams'; 'Jonathan Letz'; 'Buster Baldwin'; 'Nancy Robison'; Sheriff Subject: Burn ban notifications The Sheriff has agreed to dispatch burn ban notifications to the VFD's. Bill Amerine is/has arranged a method of paging the VFD's via Advantage Communication's web site. The dedicated computers and dial-up telephone lines will not be required. Thanks, John D. Trolinger Kerr County IT Manager 830-370-1238 Five Star cell phone Call for work Stoppages, Email with work Requests to help@co.kerr.tf_.t:~. Jody Grinstead wrote: Please see attached correspondence from Bill Amerine. Thanks! Jody From: William Amerine [mailto:wea_@kerr911.o~cr ] Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 4:09 PM To: 'Jody Grinstead' Subject: **SPAM MESSAGE** RE: [Kerr County Agenda] Agenda for Commissioners' Court Workshop Importance: High Jody, Please forward the following to the Judge, Commissioners, Sheriff, and County IT Representative. Judge Tinley et al, I read the 12/10/2007 minutes with great interest. Specifically the section concerning "Fire Ban" notification procedures. I won't waste your collective time correcting the revisionist historical perspective on 9-1-1's past or present involvement with "non-emergency" cammunications such as fire ban notifications. Factually we at one time were an integral part of that procedure; in 2004 we presented our reasons to the court for completely removing ourselves from that process -the "facts" are a matter of public record. As to your current procedural difficulties, I respectfully offer a recommendation that should resolve all of the commissioners' concerns at no cost and will eliminate several O 1 /09/2008 Page 1 of 1 Jody Grinstead ~rrr From: Jonathan Letz [ccr@hctc.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 10:10 AM To: 'Jody Grinstead' Subject: RE: Burn ban email list Jody, Others to add are: Mark Beavers Bill Price Bill Amerine Rusty Heirholzer Mark Duff All Commissioners John Trolinger Kerrville Fire Department Kerrville Police Dispatch Kerr 911 KSD Texas Forest Service This list needs to be on the agenda Monday Thanks, Jonathan From: Jody Grinstead [mailto:jgrinstead@co.kerr.tx.us] Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 10:10 AM To: 'Jonathan Letr' Subject: Burn ban email list Here is a list of the people I email about the burn ban: Alyson Chapman a~son_cha~man dailytimes.com Caleb Chapman caleb.chapman dailytimes,com Community Journal journal@ktc.com Wade Day Wade.Day@tx.usda.gov Jeanette Eastwood Jeanette.eastwood_@dailytimes.com Joe Franklin Joe.Franklin@tx.usda.gov Kerrville Daily Times times@dailytimes.com Bryan Theall Bryan.Thea__I_I@tx,usda_gov West Kerr Current wkcurrent@classicnet.net I also call the Kerrville PD (dispatch), fax the Sheriffs Department, call (and email) John Trolinger. I do not have email address for the Volunteer Fire Departments - nor do I have phone numbers for most of them. I was planning on calling the ones I do have phone number for, and sending letters to those I don't, but haven't done anything yet because you said you were going to work on it. Would you like me to start working on getting email addresses for each of them? Thanks! Jody 01 /08/2008 V UILLVVl Lulil l\U1LJ-1.+V111Q1 VVUllI~'~ 1l:.AQJ e~carrte To The GQrnal County dire Marshal's Websi#e r~t~t: 1 oI G s3fl~ b4e.,t ~a ~ Antc~ni~ St. Ne.v S a~siaFels: Texas ?8~3fl €3Ct~'s7=3~''t Ext:2!?4 Cq~t~ Service t~epartn,~r$s. ~erteral 6nterest r `. Mc tie@~ & Alen -- Quick Links Outdoor Burn Rules for Comat County GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALLOWABLE OUTDOOR BURNING Adopted by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Titte 30 Texas Administrative Code #111.219 P.rintabie Version R 3005 West San Antonio St. New Braunfels, Texas 78130 Phone: 830-620-3417 Ext: 204 Fire.Marshaf's Webpage (CITE as a violation of Section 7. J77, Water Code) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly, with respect to the person's conduct, violates the General Requirements for Allowable Outdoor buming or any other rule promulgated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding outdoor buming. An offense is punishable foe an individual by a fine or not Tess than $-1,000 or more than $50,000, confinement in the county jai! for a period not. to exceed 180 days, or both. An offense is punishable for a person other than an individual by fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $100,000. Outdoor buming which is otherwise authorized shat! also be subject to the following requirements when specified in any section of this subchapter. (1) Prior to prescribed or controlled buming for forest management purposes, the Texas Forest Service shall be notified. (2) Buming must be outside the corporate limits of a city or town except where the incorporated qty or town has enacted ordinances which permit buming consistent with the Texas Clean Air Act, Subchapter E, Authority of Local Governments. (3) Buming shall be commenced and conducted only when wind direction and other meteorological conditions are such that smoke and other pollutants will not cause adverse effects to any public road, landing strip, navigable water, or off- site structure containing sensitive receptor(s) (4) ff at any time the buming causes or may tend to cause smoke to blow onto or across a road or highway, it is the responsibility of the person initiating the bum to post flag-persons on affected roads. (5) Buming must be conducted downwind of or at least 300 feet (90 meters) from any structure containing sensitive receptors located on adjacent properties unless prior written approval is obtained from the adjacent occupant with possessory control. '' (6) Buming shat! be conducted in cempliance with the following meteorological and timing considerations: (a) The initiation of burning shaft commence no earlier than one hour after sunrise. Buming shall be http://www.co.comal.tx.us/Burn%20Ruies.htm 12/22/2007 =~r tsurn xutes-e:omat ~;ounry, i exas completed on the same day not later than one hour before sunset, and shall be attended by a responsible -' party at all times during the alive bum phase when fire is progressing, In cases where residual fires and/or smoldering objects continue to emit smoke after this time, such areas shall be extinguished if the smoke from these areas has the potental to create a nuisance or traffic hazard condition. In no case shall the extent of the bum area be allowed to increase after this time. (b) Buming shall not be commenced when surface wind speed is predicted to be less than six miles per hour (mph) (five knots) or greater than 23 mph (20 knots) during the bum period. (c) Buming steal! not be conducted during periods of actual or predicted persistent low level atmospheric temperature irnersions. rage 1 of L (7) Electrical insulation, treated lumber, plastics, non-wood construdioNdemolition materials, heavy oils, asphaltic materials, potentially explosive materials, chemical wastes, and items containing natural or synthetic rubber must not be burned. Title 30 TAC #111.203 Definitions. Structure containing sensitive receptor(s) - A man-made structure utilized for human residence or business, the containment of livestock, or the housing of sensitive live vegetation, The term "man-made structure" does not indude such things as range fences, roads, bridges, hunting blinds or fadtities used soley for the storage of hay or other livestock feeds, The term "sensitive live vegetation" is defined as vegetation which has potential to be damaged by smoke and heat, examples of which indude, but are not limited to. nursery production, mushroom cultivation, pharmaceutical plant produdion, or laboratory experiments involving plants. ENFORCEMENT j THE RULES ABOVE WERE ADOPTED BY TCEQ UNDER THE TEXAS CLEAN AIR ACT, CHAPTER 382 OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE. R VIOLATION OF THESE RULES lS STATED TO BERN OFFENSE UNDER SEC. 7.177 OF THE WATER CODE, WITH THE RANGE OF PUNISHMENT SET OUT IN SECTION 7.187 OF THE WATER CODE.J jCrTE as a violation of Section 7.177, Water Code) A person commits an offense if the person 'rntentionally or knowingly, with respect to the person's cxmduct, violates the General Requirements for Allowable Outdoor burning ~ any other rule promulgated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding outdoor burning. An offense is punishable for an individual by a fine or not less than S1,000 or more than 550,000, confinement in the county jail for a period not to exceed 180 days, or both. An offense is punishable for a person other than an indfvidual by fine of not less than S1,000 or more than 5100,000. A person may be responsible for the criminal conduct of another under the provisions of Section 7.02, Texas Penal code, as for example where he/she soliats, encourages, directs, aids or attempts to aid the other person to commit the offense. ricme 1 Comoreh2ns~ve I~a;r, ?age 1 oepa?tments I Ser:~ces I Pi~or~e Book I notices I Gor±ac*. :;< 11~1aps Professional Site Design by Comaf Co~~rrty~ 2007. All rights reserved. httn://www.co.comal.tx.usBurn%20Rules.htm 12/22/2007 Outdoor Burning Rules, Regulations and Guidance A person's right to burn outdoors is not absolute Outdoor Burning Outdoor burning in Texas is subject to many possible limitations. Local ordinances, govermmental entities, and air quality control regulations may restrict when, where, how and if individuals and organizations can conduct outdoor burning. [n addition, Texas criminal statutes specify penalties that pertain to escaped control fires and deliberately set wildland fires. Persons responsible t~~r escaped control or arson wildfires may also be faced with civil suits for damages caused Liy these fires. Numerous entities, including the National Weather Service and the "Texas Forest Service, may issue advisories, watches or lvamings, when weather and fuel conditions increase the risk of escaped fires and%or the severity of wildfires. Public cooperation during the dangerous wildfire conditions is essential to prevent needless wildfires and the. losses they may cause. Local Ordinances Some municipalities have enacted local ordinances that prohibit or restrict outdoor fires within their corporate limits. Residents should always check with municipal officials about possible limitations on outdoor burning, so they do not unintentionally violate an existing ordinance. Governmental Entities Under conditions of extreme fire danger, governmental units may issue a ban on outdoor burning to help prevent possibly disastrous wildfires from occurring. A county j udge and county Commissioners court may issue a ban on outdoor burning that is applicable to unincorporated portions ofthe county. (The Texas Forest Service does not issue burn bans). County officials may cite the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 (Chapter 418 Emergency Management) or HB 2620 Outdoor Burning (Chapter 352. Subchapter D, Local Government Code) as the basis for the county's ban. Prior to 1999, most burning bans were based on the Disaster Act, which required a disaster declaration noting a present or imminent threat of natw•al disaster. In the case of a county, the county judge may issue a burning ban (or other emergency measures) for a period of seven days. Continuation of the burning ban longer than seven days is contingent on a vote of the county commissioners court to extend the ban. Violators of a burn ban under this legislation would be cited for failure to comply with the Emergency Management Plan. The plan may prescribe a punishment for the offense of a fine up to $1,000 or confinement in jail For a term up to 180 days. In 1999 the '['exas l.,egislature enacted HB 2620, which specifically addressed outdoor burning. This act authorizes counties to prohibit or restrict outdoor burning and provides a criminal penalty for noncompliance. Under this act, the commissioners court of a county by order may prohibit or restrict outdoor burning in general or in all or part of an unincorporated area of the county. An order must specify the period during which outdoor burning is prohibited or restricted, ttp to a maximum of 90 days. '1'o continue the ban, the commissioners court may adopt an order that takes effect on the expiration of the previous order. A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally violates the outdoor burning prohibition or restriction. An offense is a Class C misdemeanor. which is punishable by a fine up to $500. HB 2620 does not apply to outdoor burning activities (1) related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) for: (A) firefighter training; (13) public utility, natural gas pipeline, or mining operations; or (C) planting or harvesting of agriculture crops: or (2) that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Section 153.048, Natural Resources Code, and meet the standards aF Section 153.047, Natural Resources Code. Air Quality Regulations Excerpted from TCEQ publication ~~Outdoor Burning in Texas" Outdoor burning impacts air quality. Regulations to minimize possible adverse impacts of outdoor burning are now administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The purpose of the current version of the Outdoor Burning Rule is to protect the environment, promote public health and safety. and avoid nuisance conditions through the sensible regulation of outdoor burning. Only those portions of the outdoor burning regulations that most pertain to homeowners and rural residents are included in the following information. General Prohibition The Outdoor Burning Rule first prohibits outdoor burning anywhere within the state of Texas, and then allows for exceptions for specific situations in which burning is necessary or does not pose a threat to the environment. The rule also prescribes conditions that must be met to protect the environment and avoid other adverse impacts when burning is allowed. Outdoor disposal or deposition of any material capable of igniting spontaneously shall not be allowed without written permission of the TCEQ executive director or authorized staff representatives. Exceptions to Prohibition of Outdoor Burning Firefighter Training Entities that conduct firefighter training may obtain authorization to conduct outdoor burning for training, including training in the operation of fire extinguishers. The entity responsible for training must send a written request to the local air pollution control agency or the TCF.,Q regional office. The burning must not cause a nuisance or traffic hazard. Fires for Recreation, Ceremony, Cooking or Warmth Outdoor burning is allowed when used solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes, in the noncommercial prepara- tion of food, or exclusively as a means to provide warmth in cold weather. In other words, campfires, bonfires and cooking fires are allowed. Fires for Disposal or Land Clearing Domestic Waste - F{ousehold trash or rubbish may be burned when the local governmental entity that has jurisdiction over such matters does not provide on- premises trash collection service or authorize a business or other entity to provide on-premises trash collection service. To qualify for this exception, the waste must come from a residence designed and used exclusively as a private residence for no more than three families. The waste must also be burned on the property where it was produced. On-site burning of waste plant growth - Trees, brush, grass, leaves, branch trimmings and other plant growth may be burned on the property on which the material grew. Additional requirements and restrictions apply depending on the attainment status of the county in which the burning takes place. In most attainment counties, burning of waste plant growth is allowed regardless of how the material was generated. ]n nonattainment counties, burning of waste plant materials is allowed to maintain ~: rights-of=way, clear ]and or maintain the banks of water canals where there is no practical alternative. Crop residues - Where there is no practical alternative. crop residues may be burned for agricultural management. Compliance with TCEQ regulations does not mean that other, stricter laws. regulations or ordinances cannot be enforced by city, county or other governmental entities. There may be local ordinances or county burn bans that regulate burning; if so, you must comply with all such regulations (e.g. county burn bans) as well as the TCEQ rules. Brush, trees, etc., off-site - A county or municipal government may request site and bury approval from the TCEQ regional office to burn accumulations of brush, trees and other plant growth that cause a condition detrimental to public health and safety. The burning may not occur at a municipal solid waste landfill without obtaining permission firom the TCEQ beforehand. Prescribed Burns - "1"his exception covers the use of fire to manage forests, rangeland, wildland and wildlife, and, in 14 counties, coastal salt marsh. Salt- marsh burning entails more specific notification requirements. General Requirements for Burning 'T'he following requirements apply to the specific situations for which they are mentioned above. Note: The party responsible forthe burn remains liable for damages, injuries, or other consequences that may result from burning, even when it is carried out in compliance with these regulations. 'These requirements also do not exempt or excuse anyone from complying with all other applicable laws or ordinances. regulations and orders of governmental entities having jurisdiction. Burn only outside the corporate limits of a city or town, unless the incorporated city or town has an ordinance that permits burning and is consistent with the Texas Clean Air Act. Beginorcontinueburningonly whenwind direction and other weather conditions are such that smoke and other pollutants will not present a hazard to any public road, landing strip, or navigable water (e.g. lake, river, stream or bay) or have an adverse effect on any oft-site structure containing '`sensitive receptors." Post someone to flag traffic if at any time the burning causes or may tend to cause smoke to blow onto or across a road or highway. Keep fires dowmvind of or at least 300 feet (90 meters) away from any neighboring structure that contains sensitive receptors. This requirement may be waived only with the prior written approval of whoever owns or rents the adjacent property and either resides or conducts business there. Begin burning no earlier than one hour after sunrise, end it the same day and no later than one hour before sunset. and. make sure that a responsible party is present while the burn is active and the fire is progressing. Winds must be from six to 23 miles per hour during the burn period. Burning during temperature inversions or air stagnation advisories is prohibited. Don't burn any electrical insulation; treated lumber; plastics; construction or demolition materials not made of wood; heavy oils; asphaltic materials; potentially explosive materials; chemical wastes; or items that contain natural or synthetic rubber. Notify the 7~'exas Forest Service before carrying out any prescribed or controlled burns that are intended for forest management. For complete coverage of air quality regulations as they pertain to outdoor burning, consult the website for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality at http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/. A "I"CEQ publication entitled Outdoor Burning in Texas explains regulations in more detail and contains the answers to commonly asked questioi~is. It can be accessed via the Internet at http:// www.tceq.state.tx.us/comm exec/ forms_pubs/pubs/rg/rg-Od9.htm 1. Texas Penal Code -Outdoor Burning Offenses Provisions within the Texas Venal Code address escaped control burning and deliberately set wildland fires. An offense under this section is a class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $~00. Stop Arson TITLE 7 OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY CHAPTER 28 Arson, Criminal Mischief, Property Damage or Destruction £28.04 Reckless Damage or Destruction A person commits a crime ifhe recklessly allows his fire to damage or destroy someane else's property. A person acts recklessly. or is reckless, when he is aware of but consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that his burning will escape from his control and result in damage to the property of another. £28.02 Arson A person commits a violation it he starts afire or causes an explosion with intent to destroy or damage any vegetation, fence or structure on open space land. "Open space land" means real property that is undeveloped for the purpose of human habitation. Wildland arson is a second degree felony unless the fire results in bodily injury or death. 'The offense becomes a first degree felony if someone is injured or killed because of the fire. Punishment for wildland arson includes a possible fine up to $10,000 and confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal .Justice ranging from two years to life. Report suspicious fire activity to your local law enforcement office or call the toll-tree phone number shown below. T ~-~'r r=~°st~ t-}t icy ~~ You may be eligible for a reward up to $2,000 if your inti~rmation leads to the arrest and grand jury indictment of the person or persons responsible for arson. Guidance Fire Weather Watches and Warnings National Weather Seitiice offices issue daily fire weather forecasts that state and federal natural resource agencies use to plan deployment of wildfire detection and firefighting resources. NWS offices also issue fire weather watches and red flag warnings when weather and fuel conditions are expected to occur that significantly increase the risks of dangerous wildfires. Typically, these are short duration events. The Texas Forest Sewice will also publicize the existence of dangerous fu•e conditions as they occur, to increase public awareness of the danger and encourage increased attention to outdoor fire safety. The National Weather Service will issue a '`Fire Weather Watch'" to alert fire control officials and the public to the possible development of Red Flag conditions in a particular area or region in the near future (up to 72 hours in advance). Red Flag Warnings are issued when expected fuel (vegetation} and weather conditions will increase the likelihood of escaped control fires and rapid rates of spread of existing wi Idfires. Weather criteria for Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings across Texas will vary somewhat with each NWS warning area, based on the vegetation, topography and distance from the C_,ulf of Mexico. For a Red Flag Warning to be issued, predicted afternoon and evening relative humidity levels are expected to tall to 25 percent or lower. sustained winds at 20 feet above the ground are expected to exceed IS miles per hour for at least two hours, and high fire danger is in place. Fire Prevention Can Cut Wildfire Load Prevention of human-caused wildfires holds the kev to a significant reduction in the number of wildfires. People and their actions cause over 90 percent of all wildfires in Texas. Successful fire prevention effiorts aimed at reducing fires caused by careless debris burning will pay the biggest dividends i^ reducing wildfire occurrence. Unattended burning of household trash and brush piles, with poor or no firebreaks, accounts for a majority of debris fires. Burning leaves and other yard debris and burning offi garden spots and pastures also contribute significantly to the wildfire load. TEXAS FOREST __ SERVICE The Texas A&M Liniversity System http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu Keetch-Byram Drought Index What It Measures and Means for Firefighters The Keetch-Byram Drought hldex (KBDI) is astand-alone index that can be used to measure the erects of seasonal drought on fire potential. The numeric value of the index is an estimate of the precipitation amount (in hundredths of inches) needed to bring the soil back to saturation. A value of '`0'' reflects complete saturation of the soil. The index deals with only the top 8 inches of the soil profile, so the maximum KBDI value is 800 or 8.0 inches of precipitation that would be needed to bring soil back to saturation. As KBDI value increases, the vegetation is subjected to increased stress due to moisture deficiency. At higher values, desiccation (or wilting) occurs, and live plant material is added to the dead fuel loading vn the site. Also, an increasing portion of the duff/litter layer becomes available fuel at higher KBDI index values. KBDI values are more closely tied to fire danger during the active growing season than during the. winter months, so low dormant season KBDI values do not necessarily correspond to low fire danger. Soil moisture can be abundant during the winter, but dormant vegetation gets its moisture largely from the humidity in the air, not from the soil. Dormant grass and weeds will dry rapidly during periods of dry, windy winter weather and can become highly fire-prone, even while the underlying soil remains damp or very wet. For an indication of how KBD[ values correlate with potential fire behavior, go to the following Internet websitc: httpa/wvvw.tamu.edu/lice/ and then to Predictive Services. A wealth of other fire-related information is also available. Wildfire risk assessment personnel and fire behavior analysts look at many other fire-related factors besides KBDI - particularly during the dormant season - to determine the expected risks of wildfire ignitions and difficulty of control. Fire control leaders then have a more comprehensive picture of potential wildfire activity and behavior on which to base decisions on resource staffing and placement. '`The Texas Forest Se~•r•ice is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportmiiry Employer committed to excellence theough diversity."