WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – In a recent study by Lending Tree, Texas ranked 3rd for the most at-risk state of wildfires in the United State with expected loses of $240 million dollars annually.

Texas had more than 7,500 wildfires in 2023.

“A wildfire is any fire burning unintentionally,” Texas A&M Forest Service Wildland Urban Interface Coordinator, Adam Turner said.

Wildfires in Texas alone more than doubled from 2021 to 2022 by 125%.

“Here in Texas and in the United States overall 9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by people. So, we are the cause for the vast majority of wildfires we see here in Texas.” Turner said.

The study showed the number of wildfires in a area increase when there are more people in a specific area.

Texas has the highest expected annual economic losses due to wildfire casualties and injuries, at 11.1 million.

“Remove most of their vegetation if not the first five feet. I have seen significant decreases in home and structure loss when those areas are cleared out,” Turner said.

16.6% of properties in Texas lacked disaster insurance.

Texas had the 5th highest increase in home insurance costs from 2019 to 2024 at 54.5%, and also is the 4th overall for average home insurance costs at $4,647.

Texas A&M Forest Service experts say there are several risk that can start wildfires such as:

• Overinflated or Underinflated tires that pop and drag the road.
• Sparks from chains landing in dry grass or septic fuels onside the road.
• Burning of debris
• Lightning

“This is why I do my job I want to go out and help people I want to reduce loss I want to make sure people stay safe man it is tiring but it is what I do,” Turner said.

If you would like to learn more about wildfire prevention, visit the Texas A&M Forest Service website.

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