WHAT — The American Red Cross North Texas Region is launching a program to educate homeowners about wildfire safety.
Red Cross volunteers as well as our partners Americorp, Hutchison County Emergency Management, the Hutchison County Fire Marshal, Team Rubicon and the Stinnett Volunteer Fire Department will provide weather radios and install smoke detectors in homes.
In addition, homeowners will learn the importance of having an evacuation plan, defensible space around their homes and about the emergency broadcast and alert systems in Hutchinson County. Team Rubicon will be on hand to survey properties for future mitigation efforts.
WHEN — Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 3 from 1 to 5 p.m. Team Rubicon will conduct fire mitigation from Friday, April 22 through Sunday, April 24.
WHERE — Scott’s Acres subdivision, Stinnett, Texas. West Texas Middle School will serve as the base of operations during the weekend. 2277 W Ranch St., Stinnett, TX 79083.
WHY — The Carbon Camp Fire burned 117 acres in Hutchison County in January, destroying one home in Scott’s Acres. Wildfires again threatened the community in March. This year, Texas is seeing an above average number of wildfires. Lower-than-average precipitation and hot, dry conditions are expected to linger throughout spring in the Panhandle, making the threat of fires more prevalent.
A wildfire does not engulf everything in its path, it only advances to locations that meet the requirements of combustion. That’s why it’s important to be prepared and learn how to protect your family and community.