Garza County Emergency Management

08/27/2026

🔥 HAZE & SMOKE IN THE AREA 🔥

Residents may notice increased haze and the smell of smoke across Garza County today, particularly around Lake Alan Henry and surrounding areas.

The smoke is associated with the Ross Fire currently burning in Palo Pinto and Jack counties. Changing winds are carrying smoke westward into portions of the South Plains.

At this time, the haze and smoke being observed locally does not indicate a wildfire at Lake Alan Henry or within Garza County.

Visibility may be reduced at times, and individuals who are sensitive to smoke may want to limit prolonged outdoor activity if conditions become bothersome.

Garza County Emergency Management will continue to monitor conditions and share updates if anything changes.

Please do not be alarmed if you see or smell smoke in the area today.

08/26/2026

Burn bans are set at the county level by county judges or commissioners' courts based on local weather, vegetation and wildfire risk.

Texas A&M Forest Service passes along this information as a public service in an effort to lessen preventable fires. We do not establish or remove any burn bans.

Before conducting any outdoor burning, check with your county to see if restrictions are in place.

08/26/2026

08/26/2026

🔥 WILDFIRE PREVENTION STARTS WITH ALL OF US!

In hot, dry, and windy conditions, it doesn’t take much to start a wildfire. Many wildfires are caused by human activity, which means many of them are also preventable.

A few simple precautions can make a big difference:

• Never toss ci******es or matches from a vehicle.
• Avoid parking or driving over tall, dry grass. Hot exhaust systems can ignite vegetation.
• Make sure trailer chains are secured and not dragging on the roadway, where they can create sparks.
• Use extra caution when welding, grinding, mowing, or using other equipment that can produce heat or sparks.
• Keep vehicles and equipment properly maintained to reduce the risk of sparks or mechanical fires.
• Never leave outdoor burning unattended, and always follow local burn bans and restrictions.
• Fully extinguish campfires, fire pits, and other outdoor flames before leaving the area.
• Keep dry grass and vegetation cleared away from homes, barns, propane tanks, and other structures.

Wildfires can spread quickly, especially when wind and dry vegetation are involved. Taking a few extra precautions can help protect our homes, ranches, livestock, first responders, and neighbors.

🔥 One spark is all it takes. Do your part to help prevent wildfires in Garza County.

📲 Don't forget to sign up for Garza County emergency alerts: https://r.i-info.com/Garza/Notice

08/12/2026

Did you know there's a way to receive emergency notifications right to your phone?

Alerts may include:

- Severe weather
- Road closures
- Emergency notifications
- Other important public safety information

Scan the QR code below or visit r.i-info.com/Garza/Notice to register.

Please take a minute to sign up, and also share this post with friends and family in Garza County.

Staying informed before an emergency happens is a lot easier than trying to figure out what’s going on after everyone's phones start blowing up.

Stay informed. Stay prepared.

08/06/2026

🚌 BACK-TO-SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY REMINDER

School starts next week, which means buses, student drivers, pedestrians, and heavier traffic will be returning to our roads.

Please help keep students safe:

• Slow down and remain alert in school zones and residential areas.
• Watch carefully for children walking or riding bicycles.
• Leave extra time for morning and afternoon traffic.
• Never pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
• Avoid distractions, including phones, while driving.
• Be patient with school buses making frequent stops.
• Remind young drivers to reduce their speed and avoid using their phones behind the wheel.

Parents should also review bus stop safety with children. Students should wait away from the roadway, stay visible to the driver, and never walk behind a school bus.

A few extra minutes of patience can prevent a serious accident.

Slow down. Stay alert. Help our students start the school year safely.

07/30/2026

📚 Back-to-School Safety Tip: Create a Family Code Word

Choose a private code word that only your family and trusted adults know.

Teach your child that if someone says, “Your parent sent me to pick you up,” they should ask for the code word before going anywhere with that person.

If the person does not know it, your child should:

📍Stay where they are

🔎 Find a trusted adult

📞 Call you or another emergency contact

Keep the code word simple enough for your child to remember, but not easy for someone else to guess. Change it if it is ever used or shared.

A small plan like this can help children feel more confident and make safer decisions in an unexpected situation.

07/28/2026

📚 Back-to-School Safety Reminder 📚

As students head back to school, take a few minutes to update your family emergency plan.
Make sure your child knows:

🏡 Their full name, address, and a parent or guardian’s phone number

🚗 Who is allowed to pick them up

📍 Where your family will meet if you cannot return home

📲 How they should contact you during an emergency

🔔 Parents should also update emergency contacts with the school, review transportation plans, and make sure they are signed up for local emergency alerts.

🚑 During an emergency, avoid calling or going directly to the school unless instructed. Schools and first responders need roads and phone lines clear so they can focus on student safety and reunification.

A few minutes of planning now can prevent confusion later.

Stay informed. Stay prepared.

07/13/2026

Could your family make it 72 hours without power? 🔌

Emergencies don't always come with a warning. Whether it's severe weather, wildfire, a power outage, or another unexpected event, having a basic emergency kit can make a stressful situation much easier.

A few simple supplies can help keep your family safe and comfortable until normal services are restored.

What's one item that's always in your emergency kit that people often forget? Share your ideas in the comments. Your tip might help someone else prepare.

07/08/2026

Question of the Day: What emergency supplies do you keep in your vehicle?

Mine would be a flashlight, first aid kit, bottled water, jumper cables, and a phone charger.

Share your must-have items in the comments. You might give someone else an idea they hadn't thought of!