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State forestry official: nearly 400 fires and about 7,000 acres burned in five days; one-day high of 81 incidents
Summary
A state forestry official told the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee that the agency responded to almost 400 wildfires burning nearly 7,000 acres over five days; staff reported a single-day record of 81 fires and said volunteers and agency crews contained incidents with no reported injuries.
Rick Payton, a forestry official, briefed the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee on recent wildfire activity, telling the committee that "in the last 5 days, we've had almost 400 wildfires" and that "over the last 5 days, we've had almost 7,000 acres of wildfire." He said the agency's crews and volunteer fire departments contained the blazes and that the rains the agency received helped control spread.
Payton told the committee that the previous day marked an unusual spike: "Yesterday was the most wildfires we've ever had, at least in the last 20, 25, 30 years that we've been keeping records of," with "81 fires that our employees responded to." He said there were no injuries or accidents reported in the recent incidents.
Payton and committee members discussed weather conditions contributing to the fires, including unusually low relative humidity. Payton said those short, intense weather events — low humidity and dry conditions — contributed to the rapid spread and the multiple simultaneous ignitions. He explained the agency's role in restricting prescribed-fire permits and giving warnings to experienced burn operators during dry spells.
Committee members asked about operational needs. Payton said the agency uses a fleet of about 20 brush trucks in firefighting efforts in some areas and that many of those vehicles need replacement; he said the plan is to replace aging units, transfer serviceable older units to volunteer fire departments, and seek funding to purchase new ones. A member asked whether counties allow use of county equipment on private property after incidents in which dozers were needed; Payton said the specific arrangements vary and that training and agreements need review.
A member also asked whether large active fires remained; Payton said crews were not actively "crossing the landscape" with uncontained fire but that there remained some open areas staff continued to monitor and check lines. Payton encouraged internal follow-up on policies and said the agency would communicate with committee members when significant fires — for example, incidents exceeding 100 acres — occur in a member's district.
The discussion noted the crucial role of volunteer fire departments: Payton said volunteers respond to many of the same incidents and that the agency relies on their support. Committee members pressed for better coordination on equipment, training, and notifications.
The committee did not take formal action on the briefing; the item was informational and concluded with members thanking Payton for the update.
