Travis County Commissioners Court
March 28, 2006
Item 2
Number two, proclamation recognizing this as wild fair awareness week in Travis County.
>> good morning, judge, comissers.
>> should I read the proclamation?
>> please, sir.
>> it reads, whereas Travis County is a diverse and dynamic place to live, work and recreate, which has directly influenced intensive growth and development and substantially increased the interface between the citizens and the wild land, whereas the direct result of building and developing in and through our beautiful and expansive wild lands is the increase in potential damage and destruction of those same developments without proper and prudent wildfire awareness and preparedness. Whereas since January 2006, over 1.2 million acres have burned and over 236 structures have been lost as a direct result of wildfires in the state of Texas and at least 11 lives, if I recall the newspaper articles, whereas during the same time period over 250 acres have burned and six structures have been lost as a direct result of wildfires in Travis County, whereas for the past four months the state of Texas has been declared to be in a state of disaster due to the current drought conditions which has directly impacted the wildfire danger as well as the lives and property of our citizens, whereas the citizens of Travis County can effectively mitigate wildfire damage to their property by applying contemporary fire wise concepts as well as making basic modifications to landscapes and structures. And whereas the Travis County fire marshal's office in conjunction with the Texas forest service, the 12 emergency services district fire departments can serve the citizens of unincorporated Travis County, the Austin fire department, the lower colorado river authority, the members of the wildfire citizens advisory panel and the area home depots are working cooperatively to raise the awareness of wildfire hazards and dangers as well as offer solutions to the citizens of Travis County in an effort to effectively mitigate the wildfire risk. And that one is a mouthful. Therefore be it proclaimed by the Travis County Commissioners court that the week of April one through April sixth, 2006 be dedicated to awareness in Travis County. And I move approval. Morning.
>> [one moment, please, for change in captioners]
>> station 36 at f.m. 2222 and 360. Last year at the home depot on 620 south. The home depot is a national fire sponsor, they have joined the coalition. But for the past two years, both of those events have been held on the west side of the county. Realizing the diversity of our terrain and topography, we wanted to broaden that campaign. The scope of that campaign. Move it to the other areas of eastern, southern and northern Travis County. Each have their -- their differences, their issues, circumstances, one no less dangerous than the other one. The public education campaign is -- it's to effect a proactive, positive, human response. To the urban wild line interface. Not only for the homeowners and the residents, but also for those stewards and caretakers over the wild lands and the preserves in our area. The judge and the Commissioners court of Travis County should be proud, you can face your constituents and know that this is the first undertaking of this magnitude of this kind of education program for wildfire education in the nation. That the people that you have appointed to those positions are being proactive in setting a precedent for prevention of loss of life and property from wildfire here in Travis County. You should also be proud of the cooperation, the spirit of cooperation that's been exhibited by the state and local county and area fire departments, municipal village and county esd's.
>> [indiscernible]
>> that's when we have the multiple press conferences?
>> yes, sir.
>> at the --
>> that's correct, judge.
>> the word we are getting out to the public at that press conference is what?
>> that you can be proactive and landscape your house with the right kind of plants and materials to prevent fire from coming on -- close to your structure, also use the proper building materials, siding, roofs, so forth and so on that can -- can help prevent your home from burning.
>> a few years ago we may have thought this was an academic exercise, but the last two months have taught us that this is a real threat. And we all should be concerned about it.
>> yes, sir.
>> right.
>> any more discussion?
>> thank you.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you all very much.
>> judge, could we get a picture of you with the court and the banner and some of the chiefs we could.
>> okay.
>> y'all keep up the good work, we appreciate all take you do. And we had a few firefighters going to west Texas. Last weekend, the week before, right?
>> that's correct.
>> that fire up there. That situation is under control. I understand the rains helped a little bit this past weekend.
>> yes, they did.
>> the rain and the snow [laughter]
>> that's good.
>> thanks.
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Last Modified:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 10:48 AM