TEXAS, USA — With the remnants of Hurricane Ian moving up to the East coast, firefighters are feeling the effects right here in East Texas.
Just yesterday alone, Texas A&M Forest Service responded to 13 wildfires across the state. Today there was a grass fire in Smith County near County Road 1145. Officials say the cause is still unknown, but it did burn half an acre.
"We've had several weeks of just persistent lack of rainfall. And you combine that with the dry north winds we've been getting lately with a cold front coming through. And it's just accelerating the drying and giving us some high wildfire potential," said Ryan Burns from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Although there is no burn ban in effect, officials are asking people at home to be mindful before burning. They said to try to keep your burn piles small and to keep a water source nearby. If you see a fire or accidentally start one, the sooner you can notify authorities the better.