South Austin Blaze Points To Lingering Fire Dangers

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — Austin firefighters extinguished a small grass blaze in the southwest part of the city on Wednesday afternoon, pointing to the fire as evidence that fire danger remains after predicted rain in the area failed to materialize.

Earlier this week, the National Weather Service predicted potential downpours in the region fueled by Tropical Storm Imelda that was threatening the Gulf Coast with up to ten inches of rain. But those prognostications have yet come to pass, leaving conditions in Central Texas rife for fire amid dry conditions.

As evidence of the tinderbox nature of regional landscape, the fire department used the example of a fire they extinguished along the 7400 block of Roaring Springs on Wednesday. "With no apparent relief coming our way from Imelda, fire danger remains in the moderate category," fire officials wrote on Twitter.

The most recent outside Travis County burn ban was issued on Sept. 10, outlining a number of prohibited practices in light of the dry conditions. To see a list of those prohibitions, click here. Violators are subject to fines of up to $500.

Still, rain could still come to Central Texas as a result of Imelda. Forecasters predicted a 60 percent chance of rain on Thursday — the highest chance for showers all week. Meteorologists predict mostly cloudy conditions, with a high near 93 degrees. North/northwest wind will be around five miles per hour, becoming south in the afternoon.

Related story: Austin Weather: Storms Possible Via Imelda In Gulf Coast

By nightfall on Thursday, the chance of showers and thunderstorms diminishes to 40 percent. Conditions will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 75 degrees, with south wind between 5 to 10 miles per hour.

Friday calls for a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind around 10 miles per hour. Friday night is predicted to be partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South southeast wind around 10 miles per hour.

It might, maybe, possibly rain on Saturday and Sunday as well. Here's how NWS forecasters see it:

• Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. South southeast wind around 10 miles per hour.
• Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
• Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
• Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.

And yet, this is Texas. So don't hold your breath.