Our jurisdiction is located in an arid part of the State. Droughts are common in our area and this situation creates conditions prone to wild fires. The jurisdiction that our department covers is over 3,000 square miles of light to heavy brush as well as the riverbanks that are covered with flammable Carrizo brush.

Wildfires are common in Laredo, TX and Webb County, where the climates are sufficiently moist to allow the growth of trees, but feature extended dry, hot periods particularly in the Summer, Fall, and in time of drought when fallen branches, leaves, and other material can dry out and become highly flammable. Wildfires are also common in grasslands and scrublands. Wildfires tend to be most common and severe during years of drought and occur on days of strong winds. With extensive urbanization of wild lands, these fires often involve destruction of suburban homes located in the wild land urban interface, a zone of transition between developed areas and undeveloped wild land.

On occasions, wildfires have caused large-scale damage to private or public property, destroying many homes and causing deaths (two Laredo fire dept firefighters in 1973), particularly when they have reached urban-fringe communities. One Laredo Firefighter suffered a heart attack in 2000 as a result of over exertion at a wild land fire. Current gear used for protection is designed for structural firefighting. This design is cumbersome and more suited for short term use instead of the prolonged use such as at a wild land fire.

$220,000

Purchase of wild land gear designed specifically for wild land firefighting for our members. This will reduce the probability of death or injury.

• US Forestry Service
• Texas Forestry Service