Dry Spell Nears Record in Permian Basin
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: December 14, 2010
MIDLAND -- Tuesday was the 80th consecutive day without a drop of rain in sight in the Permian Basin.
Big 2 Chief Forecaster Horace Brown announced Monday that this is the 6th longest dry spell in the Basin's history. It's also forced a lot of surrounding counties - including Midland and Ector - to enforce a burn ban in an attempt to reduce wildfires. But even in areas with burn bans, local fire fighters are still concerned.
"We're concerned about it," Jeff Meiner of the Midland Fire Department told Big 2. "Not only here in West Texas, but throughout the state. If we do get some large wildfires, resources are going to be hard to come by. They're gonna be in high demand. So, we're just warning residents to be very careful."
Meiner tells Big 2 that residents can play a big part in reducing the number of fires during this dry spell. He says they can do this by avoiding all outdoor grilling, welding and throwing cigarettes out the window. He also urges everyone to keep their grass cut and remove all combustables from their home.
Big 2 Chief Forecaster Horace Brown announced Monday that this is the 6th longest dry spell in the Basin's history. It's also forced a lot of surrounding counties - including Midland and Ector - to enforce a burn ban in an attempt to reduce wildfires. But even in areas with burn bans, local fire fighters are still concerned.
"We're concerned about it," Jeff Meiner of the Midland Fire Department told Big 2. "Not only here in West Texas, but throughout the state. If we do get some large wildfires, resources are going to be hard to come by. They're gonna be in high demand. So, we're just warning residents to be very careful."
Meiner tells Big 2 that residents can play a big part in reducing the number of fires during this dry spell. He says they can do this by avoiding all outdoor grilling, welding and throwing cigarettes out the window. He also urges everyone to keep their grass cut and remove all combustables from their home.
