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Despite Forecasts for a Less Active Fire Season, Danger Still High in West Texas

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The site where the Rock House Fire of 2011 started (Credit: KRTS)

Fire season is well underway here in West Texas - just this month we've seen a couple of small grass fires break out on the outskirts of Marfa, and what could've been a very large fire burned about a 7-mile stretch of ranchland near the bordertown of Del Rio last month.

Fire forecasters at Texas A&M have said this season might be less active - but Jim Fowler with the Fort Davis Volunteer Fire Department says that doesn't mean we're in the clear here in West Texas.

Fowler's been fighting fires for 25 years - 16 of those he's spent here in West Texas. We recently sat down with him to talk about the outlook for the season this year, as we approach the third anniversary of the Rock House Fire, the biggest wildfire on record in the state.

You can find more information on forecasts for this year's fire season from NOAA and from the National Interagency Fire Center.

Travis Bubenik is All Things Considered Host and Big Bend Reporter at Marfa Public Radio.