The Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) started off 2025 with safety in mind.

The threat of wildfires is unusually high due to the drought and lack of moisture and low humidity.

On Wednesday, Jan. 1, the Gillespie County Airport staged three Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs) in preparation for wildfire activity.

“The strategic decision to stage the three SEATs in Fredericksburg allows for the aircraft to be centrally located to provide aerial firefighting support in Central Texas and surrounding areas,” said Cassidy Ince, the state Fixed-Winged Program Coordinator. “These suppression aircraft are an invaluable resource in supporting the state’s response to wildfire activity.”

This is part of the Forest Service’s protocol of continuous monitoring of weather, fuel and drought conditions.

“When increased fire weather conditions are forecasted, residents are encouraged to be cautious with all outdoor activities capable of producing a source of high heat or sparks that may lead to wildfire ignitions such as driving through tall dry grass, unsafe debris burning, barbecuing, welding, using heavy equipment, and dragging trailer chains along the roadway,” said Dayziah Petruska, the Wildland Urban Interface coordinator. “We do not want people to underestimate the wildfire risk of dry grass fuels, especially under dry and windy weather conditions.”