Heat, Drought, and Wildfire: Brooks County's Main Weather Risks

Brooks County is in Deep South Texas. Summer heat index values here regularly top 105°F. Drought can last for months at a time.

The National Weather Service in Brownsville covers this area. They note that dangerous weather here is not as frequent as in other parts of Texas — which means some residents underestimate the risk. That makes preparation more important, not less.

Drought and wildfire go together in this brushy mesquite landscape. In June 2011, a wildfire started when a ranch vehicle's catalytic converter ignited dry grass. The fire burned 32,000 acres in northwest Brooks County. It had been fueled by nearly nine months of record drought that left the rangeland very dry. Winds and low humidity pushed the fire fast. It took 30 fire departments and 300 firefighters to contain it.

If you live in an unincorporated part of the county, check for burn bans before any outdoor burning. The county or local fire department is the source for current ban status. That status changes with conditions.

The NWS Brownsville office posts hazardous weather outlooks for this region. TDEM Region 5 covers emergency management for Brooks County.