City readies for wildfire season danger

AUSTIN (KXAN) - While rain is in the forecast, Central Texas is still dealing with a major drought.

City leaders are looking to make sure Austin is ready for another season of wildfire danger.

The Public Safety Commission on Monday, along with the Austin Fire Department, Parks and Recreation and Texas Forest Service are meeting with City Council to talk about what’ is needed in the event of a wildfire.

One of the main concerns is a lack of resources. There are only two fire stations along the Loop 360 corridor.

With more and more people moving out in that area, more stations are being requested. And then there are some fire companies the Commission members said they believe are understaffed.

"I think at some point, we need to be redirecting dollars to manage the enormous risk associated with the fire," said Mike Levy, vice chair of the Austin Public Safety Commission.