Dust Storms Raise Alarm for Fire Risks in Texas

, according to the New York Times. While Texas is known for its beautiful beaches, lakes, and scenic areas, it is also home to vast expanses of land and desert.

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Dust Storms in Texas Bring Higher Fire Risks, Authorities Caution

When bone-dry winds mix with these conditions, it creates a recipe for disaster. These dust storms not only cause dangerous driving conditions but also make Texas more susceptible to aggressive wind-driven fires. Authorities have issued a red flag warning, signaling that the state is at high risk of fires, which could quickly spread. With wind gusts over 50 mph, the northwest part of Texas, including the Texas Panhandle, could find itself in a very precarious situation, according to the weather service.

Texas Officials Warn of Dangerous Fire Conditions During Dust Storms

New fires and dust storms may continue to affect the state and could spread to the Southern Plains. Dust storms don’t require much to turn into an overnight problem: strong winds can pick up loose sand and dust from dry land, lifting them into the atmosphere and creating a large, visible dust cloud. Texans are urged to take these dust storms and the threat of fires very seriously before they become a liability.