By Ed Allen, Editor

Westlake Fire Department officials are on heightened alert for wildland fires and are urging residents to exercise caution during the ongoing drought conditions.

 Mike Elliott, assistant chief for both the Westlake and Oak Hill fire departments, said the dry, parched area has prompted fire department officials throughout Central Texas to be on heightened alert.

“We have been putting on extra staffing for special events like the Fourth of July and responding with a brush truck to fire calls, along with a fire engine for smoke investigations or small grass fires,” Elliot said. “Our best defense against the wildfire hazard is our residents who report smoke sightings so we can get on the scene and make sure a small fire doesn’t become a large fire.

“We expect the wildfire hazard to remain high for the rest of the summer and into the fall until the weather pattern changes.”

Fortunately, few fires have been reported in recent weeks.

A fire that occurred at 2:28 p.m. on July 8 on 6 East Basin Ledge was extinguished promptly, and the cause was undetermined.

“It could have been started by someone discarding a cigarette or from fireworks,” Elliott said.

But Elliot said those kinds of small fires can quickly get out of hand, and he urges area residents not to hesitate reporting fires or even the smell of smoke.

A ban on all outdoor burning remains in effect for Travis County and most of Central Texas.

An emergency planning session was held at Westlake High School Tuesday after Picayune press time to discuss a plan for dealing with wildfires and other hazards with area EMS and law enforcement officials. Scheduled topics included everything from street closures to evacuation measures (see story in July 30 issue).