2012 May 03 | StateImpact Texas

Blog Archives

: Lone Camp Volunteer Fire Department chief Charlie Sims leads his crew while fighting a wildfire on September 1, 2011 in Graford, Texas.

: A volunteer firefighter reacts as a wildfire jumps a fire line while fighting a wildfire on September 1, 2011 in Graford, Texas.

: Lone Camp Volunteer Fire Department fire fighter Ted Hale fights a wildfire on September 1, 2011 in Graford, Texas.

: U.S. Forest Service firefighter Erik Rodriguez battles a running wildfire on April 19, 2011 in Strawn, Texas. More than 160 area homes were destroyed in the wildfires that have been fueled by dry conditions, high winds, and low humidity.

: Volunteer firefighters battle a running wildfire on April 19, 2011 in Graford, Texas.

: A bull tries to escape a running wildfire on April 19, 2011 in Graford, Texas.

: Fires burn in Graford, Texas on April 19, 2011.

: A bull tries to escape a running wildfire on April 19, 2011 in Graford, Texas.

: Emergency crews drop fire retardent slurry while battling a running wildfire that is threatning homes on April 19, 2011 in Strawn, Texas.

: Emergency crews battle a running wildfire on April 19, 2011 in Strawn, Texas.

: Emergency crews fly over a destroyed home while battling a running wildfire on April 19, 2011 in Strawn, Texas.

: Remnants of burned down homes around the east side of Lake Bastop outside Bastrop. TX Tuesday September 6, 2011.

: Firefighting helicopters dump water and flame retardant after loading up with water from a pond at Lost Pines Golf Club as they fight a fire in Bastrop State Park September 6, 2011 in Bastrop, Texas.

: Firefighting helicopters load up with water from a pond at Lost Pines Golf Club as they fight a fire in Bastrop State Park September 6, 2011 in Bastrop, Texas.

: Fire fighters from the Coppell Fire Department hit hot spots on a burned down house with water as they go to the wildfire-affected areas September 7, 2011 in Bastrop, Texas.

: Fire fighters from the Coppell Fire Department prepare to hit a burned down house with water as they go to the wildfire-affected areas September 7, 2011 in Bastrop, Texas.

: Coppell Fire Department (Dallas, TX area) hit hot spots with water as they go to the wildfire affected areas around Bastrop. TX Wednesday September 7, 2011.

: oppell Fire Department (Dallas, TX area) hit hot spots with water as they go to the wildfire affected areas around Bastrop. TX Wednesday September 7, 2011.

: Coppell Fire Department (Dallas, TX area) hit hot spots with water as they go to the wildfire affected areas around Bastrop. TX Wednesday September 7, 2011.

The first wildfires of 2012 are still burning in West Texas, but the Texas Forest Service says they’re mostly contained at this point. It’s a good time to take a look back to the record season of wildfires last year. All told wildfires in 2011 burned nearly four million acres, almost three thousand homes, and took two lives. In the slideshow above, you can see up close the toll they took.

How We Can Eat Invasive Species Away: A Special Event Monday in Austin

May 3, 2012 | 1:55 PM

By Terrence Henry

Courtesy of Dave Irving via Flickr Creative Commons

Feral hogs, an invasive species, are wreaking havoc across Texas.

StateImpact Texas will be invading a special session of KUT Radio Austin’s Views and Brews this Monday at the Cactus Cafe. It’s a regular panel hosted by KUT where we discuss the issues and art of our time, over beer (hence the “Brews” with the “Views”).

Our very own Mose Buchele will lead a discussion that will look at questions like: What do we mean by invasive species? How do they get here? What is their impact on the environment when they arrive? We’ll talk about these questions and also look at the ways we adapt to their presence, from making them into delicacies to hunting them for sport. And you’ll have the chance to ask questions and add thoughts of your own to the discussion.

On Monday, May 7th at 6 p.m. you can join us and hear from experts who hunt, study and yes, sometimes eat, invasive species. Doors open at 5:30. It’s free and open to the public, but seating is limited so we suggest getting there early.

Views and Brews: Invasive Species and Why We Love Them With Salt

Monday, May 7th, 6 p.m. (Doors at 5:30)

The Cactus Cafe

2247 Guadalupe Street

Austin, Texas

Previously: The Top Ten Invasive Species in Texas

Your Weekly Drought Update: A Mixed Bag

May 3, 2012 | 9:57 AM

By Terrence Henry

Map by National Drought Center

The latest drought monitor is a mixed bag.

Despite the fact that it’s been a relatively dry April for much of the state, particularly Central Texas, the slow improvement of the drought continues, though the news isn’t all good.

The latest numbers released today by the the National Drought Monitor show that parts of the state are still making their way out of drought. Less than nine percent of the state is in the worst stage of drought, “exceptional,” while 17 percent of the state is drought-free. A year ago, after a dismally dry winter, over 17 percent of the state was in the worst stage of drought.

But while there’s been some improvement in the past week or two, there’s also been a little bit of a turn back. While last week 63 percent of the state was in some stage of drought, this week that number’s gone up to nearly 67 percent.

You can learn more about the drought at our new interactive page, ‘Dried Out: Confronting the Texas Drought.’

Blog Archives

Views and Brews: Invasive Species and Why We Love Them With Salt

Monday, May 7th, 6 p.m. (Doors at 5:30)

2247 Guadalupe Street

Austin, Texas

Previously: The Top Ten Invasive Species in Texas

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