News Roundup: 57 Fires Continue To Burn Across Texas

Our daily look at Texas headlines.

By Becky FogelAugust 6, 2018 2:19 pm

The Standard’s news roundup gives you a quick hit of interesting, sometimes irreverent, and breaking news stories from all over the state.

The National Weather Service warns there’s an elevated fire risk today due to low relative humidity, breezy south winds, and hot conditions.

The Texas A&M Forest Service says it has responded to 57 fires throughout the state over the last week.

 


 


KERA’s Gus Contreras reports crews are getting closer to containing two fires in North Texas.

The Texas A&M Forest Service reports fire crews are working on a 140-acre wildfire in Jack County, about 60 miles northwest of Fort Worth. So far, it 75 percent contained. Meanwhile, in Eastland County crews have a large grass fire nearly all taken care of. The 300-acre fire is about 85 percent contained. Forecasters say a cold front could bring rain to the region midweek.

There is a statewide hotline to report fires that may have been intentionally set. The number to the Texas Arson Hotline is: 1-877-4-FIRE-45.

 


We’re learning more about the environmental impact of Hurricane Harvey, nearly a year after the storm. Researchers in San Antonio say the aftermath impacted water quality in the Gulf of Mexico.

Houston Public Media’s Allison Lee explains.

This study says sewage overflows introduced high levels of fecal contamination into waterways that drain into the Gulf… affecting its water quality.

 

Researcher Vikram Kapoor with The University of Texas at San Antonio, authored the study.

 

“If fecal contaminants were introduced after Harvey into the waterways, and eventually they were draining into the gulf, then we can say that there were fecal contaminants into the gulf as well,” Kapoor said.

 

Kapoor said bacteria levels from flooded sites of the Guadalupe River were high, compared to control sites. But not high enough to really be worried about.

 

He says he does think the impacts of Harvey have declined, but noted some sample levels were higher three months after the storm… suggesting more chronic sources of contamination.

 


 


 


A photo showing piles of yellow bicycles at a Dallas recycling center is drawing criticism on social media and from the city’s mayor.

So, where did all of these bikes come from? From a company called Ofo.

A report from the local NBC affiliate in Dallas, KXAS-TV explains.

“The Chinese ride-share operator with bright yellow bikes pulled out of the Dallas market after the city voted to begin charging bikeshare and electric scooter companies an $800-a -year permit fee and $21 per-bike each year.”

The station originally obtained this photo of the offloaded Ofo bikes. The company told the station they’re committed to environmental sustainability. Ofo added that it’s donating bikes in good condition to local community organizations.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings shared his own brief, but to-the-point reaction, on Twitter Sunday, writing “Terrible.”