Jeff Braun's Emergency Management Blog

In my last post, I explained KBDI; the Keetch-Byram Drought Index.  Today, I am posting information about what the KBDI levels are in the counties in the Houston-Galveston area.  Any number over 600 indicates a severe drought with increased possibility of wildfire occurrence.  As you can readily tell, the levels in our 13 county region are largely over 700.  In fact, the 14 day forecast indicates that all 13 counties will soon be over the 700 level. 

As the KBDI levels increase, it becomes more and more prudent for local governments to give consideration to restrictions on the use of fireworks.  Limitations on fireworks describe as “rockets on sticks” and “missiles with fins” have now become commonplace in our area.  Many counties in Central and Western Texas have completely banned the use of fireworks.  These counties include Bexar, El Paso, Hays, Lubbock, Potter, Randall, Travis, and Williamson.

KBDI LEVELS IN H-GAC COUNTIES