Texas residents face an elevated risk of wildfires this week as unseasonably warm temperatures and dry conditions persist across the state. The warning, issued by meteorologists, comes after a surprisingly wet Valentine’s Day – with 1.3 inches of rain falling in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on February 14th, exceeding a record set in 2017 of 1.19 inches – failed to significantly alleviate drought concerns.
While temperatures reached above 60°F over the weekend, creating pleasant conditions for outdoor activities, the combination of heat and low humidity is creating a dangerous environment for the spread of wildfires. Forecasts predict temperatures climbing to 67°F on Sunday, February 15th, with sunny conditions developing throughout the day. The favorable weather is expected to continue into the week, with temperatures potentially reaching 70°F on President’s Day (February 16th) and peaking at 80°F by mid-week.
Authorities have identified Bridgeport and Stephenville as areas particularly vulnerable to wildfires between Tuesday, February 17th and Thursday, February 19th. Residents in these communities are urged to capture precautions and heed expert recommendations.
The Texas A&M Forest Service currently lists the statewide wildfire preparedness level as “Level 1,” indicating a need for planning and preparedness due to atmospheric conditions, fuel loads, and anticipated fire activity. As of July 28, 2025, the service reported responding to two new wildfire incidents burning a total of 102 acres.
According to data from March 19, 2025, several wildfires were actively burning across Texas, consuming thousands of acres. The Windmill Fire in Roberts County had burned 9,400 acres and was 90% contained, while the Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County had consumed 3,990 acres and was 85% contained. Other active fires included the Bootes Fire (Kendall County, 118 acres, 90% contained), the Resaca Fire (Hidalgo County, 130 acres, 95% contained), the Duval 1256 Fire (Duval County, 58 acres, 90% contained), and the Duderstadt Fire (Gillespie County, 50 acres, 90% contained).
The Texas A&M Forest Service provides an incident viewer offering updated information on active and recently contained wildfires. The agency also reports ongoing burn bans imposed by county judges or commissioners’ courts across the state.
