Blog | October 06, 2025
October Is Fire Prevention Month
Floyd County shares how recent wildfires have inspired change 
October is Fire Prevention Month, but with an uptick in wildfires in the region, counties in the Panhandle are always on alert. Floyd County Judge Marty Lucke said the area has unique challenges that increase wildfire risks such as droughts and high winds.
“We have issued a couple of emergency burn bans because [of] the wind velocities,” he said. “When people look out and see green pasture, they don’t realize there’s a lot of dead grass underneath there that could burn. And when you have 70-mile-an-hour winds, it doesn’t take long for it to push across a section of land.”
Lucke has the authority to enact a seven-day emergency burn ban when conditions such as low humidity and high winds are expected. For longer-term risks, the commissioners court can impose a 90-day ban.
The 2024 Smokehouse Creek Fire, one of the largest wildfires in Texas history, reshaped the way rural counties such as Floyd approach emergency readiness.
“It’s changed our aspects here. The fire chiefs of our three local volunteer fire departments call me much more regularly especially if we’re looking at wind events or during fireworks,” Lucke said. “We’ve seen how quickly things can happen.”
That fire also sparked a creative change. Floyd County has combined the roles of emergency management coordinator and Texas AgriLife extension agent into one position. This hybrid role not only leverages local agricultural expertise but also strengthens ties with state emergency networks. He thinks it may offer benefits other smaller counties should explore.
For residents, preparation is crucial. Lucke recommends cutting firebreaks around homes, moving firewood away from homes, and staying informed through local channels. The most important message Judge Lucke hopes people hear is simple: heed evacuation orders.
“We as emergency management directors, coordinators, law enforcement, emergency responders, we don’t take evacuation lightly,” Lucke said. “I know there’s a lot of things that are special in your life, but if we knock on the door and tell you to leave, nothing there is worth your life. Not a thing.”
Fire Prevention Tips
- Cut a firebreak to prevent spread of the fire near property.
- Move firewood and other combustible materials away from property.
- Keep up with local burn bans and other county-specific warnings.
- Have a plan in case of evacuation.