Wildfire

 Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems and reducing the risk of high-severity wildfire. Fire managers use prescribed fire to improve forest health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect communities and watersheds.The decision to proceed continues to depend on multiple factors, including resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather.  Prescribed burns are designed to meet specific objectives and are always managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.With fire there is smoke, but compared to wildfires, prescribed fires are shorter in duration and are conducted under weather conditions to minimize the impact of smoke on the public. Fire crews use tactics such as starting early in the day and ending ignitions early in the afternoon to allow for the most ventilation possible throughout the burn and...

The Cadillac fire originated along I40 frontage road and South Dowell Rd, in Potter County outside of Amarillo at approximately 1500 on February 21st, 2022. Elevated fire conditions contributed to a rapid spread and significant fire behavior. The Texas A&M Forest Service is in unified command with local fire departments and other local resources. The fire is burning in grassy fuels within the Wildland Urban Interface. Multiple structures have been threatened with an unconfirmed number of structures lost. Texas Intrastate Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) resources are on scene assisting with suppression

Texas A&M Forest Service is planning for a prescribed burn to take place on the Schulz Tract during 2022. Owned by Texas A&M Forest Service, a total of 208 acres will be burned on units identified as unit 1, 2, 3 and 4. The units have a proposed burning date of 11/2021 – 5/2022. These burns are designed to meet multiple land management objectives including reducing the accumulation of hazardous fuels, improve forest health, promote longleaf pine regeneration, improve access and visibility for forest management activities and improve wildlife habitat. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Texas A&M Forest Service personnel will monitor all prescribed burns to evaluate achievement of goals and help guide future prescriptions. Nearby residents can expect some lingering smoke effects overnight after the burns and may see some moderate to heavy smoke impacts for short...

Texas A&M Forest Service is planning for several prescribed burns to take place on Camp Swift Army National Guard land during 2022. Burn units identified as units 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 24, 25, 26 and 27 will be burned for a total of 4,615 acres. Unit 2 – 330 acres Proposed burning dates: 9/2021 – 5/2022 Unit 3 – 462 acres Proposed burning dates: 9/2021 – 5/2022 Unit 4 – 684 acres Proposed burning dates: 9/2021 – 5/2022 Unit 5 – 495 acres Proposed burning dates: 9/2021 – 5/2022 Unit 13 – 1,723 acres Proposed burning dates: 9/2021 – 5/2022 Unit 24 – 329 acres Proposed burning dates: 9/2021 – 5/2022 Unit 25 – 380 acres Proposed burning dates: 9/2021 – 5/2022 Unit 26 – 125 acres Proposed burning dates: 9/2021 – 5/2022 Unit 27 – 87 acres Proposed burning dates: 9/2021 – 5/2022 These burns are designed to meet multiple land management objectives including reducing the accumulation of hazardous fuels by targeting invasive species, manage...

Texas A&M Forest Service is planning for prescribed burns to take place at Pine Park during 2022. A total of 10 acres will be burned this year. The unit has a proposed burning date of 11/2021 – 6/16/2022. These burns are designed to meet multiple land management objectives including reducing the accumulation of hazardous fuels, improve forest health, promote longleaf pine regeneration, improve access and visibility for forest management activities and improve wildlife habitat. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Texas A&M Forest Service personnel will monitor all prescribed burns to evaluate achievement of goals and help guide future prescriptions. Nearby residents can expect some lingering smoke effects overnight after the burns and may see some moderate to heavy smoke impacts for short periods during ignition operations. These effects will be mitigated by burning...

Texas A&M Forest Service is planning for prescribed burns to take place on the Cyclone Hill General Land Office tract during 2022. A total of 110 acres will be burned this year. The unit has a proposed burning date of11/2021 - 6/16/2022. These burns are designed to meet multiple land management objectives including reducing the accumulation of hazardous fuels, improve forest health, promote longleaf pine regeneration, improve access and visibility for forest management activities and improve wildlife habitat particularly for the Louisiana Pine Snake. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Texas A&M Forest Service personnel will monitor all prescribed burns to evaluate achievement of goals and help guide future prescriptions. Nearby residents can expect some lingering smoke effects overnight after the burns and may see some moderate to heavy smoke impacts for short...

Texas A&M Forest Service is planning for prescribed burns to take place at Davey Dogwood Park during 2022. Two burn units identified as Cell 1 & 2 and Cell 3 & 4 will be burned for a total of 138 acres. Cell 1 & 2 – 62 acresProposed burning dates: 11/2021 – 3/2022 Cell 3 & 4 – 76 acresProposed burning dates: 11/2021 – 3/2022 These burns are designed to meet multiple land management objectives including reducing the accumulation of hazardous fuels, improve forest health, improve access and visibility for forest management activities and improve wildlife habitat. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Texas A&M Forest Service personnel will monitor all prescribed burns to evaluate achievement of goals and help guide future prescriptions. Nearby residents can expect some lingering smoke effects overnight after the burns and may see some moderate to heavy smoke...

Texas A&M Forest Service is planning for several prescribed burns to take place on Wright Patman Lake land during 2022. Burn units identified as Hippie Point, Church Camp, Easgle’s Nest, Sanders Cove and Sanders Cove South will be burned for a total of 1,011 acres. Hippie Point – 497 acresProposed burning dates: 11/15/2021 – 5/15/2022 Church Camp – 223 acresProposed burning dates: 11/15/2021 – 5/15/2022 Eagle’s Nest – 155 acresProposed burning dates: 11/15/2021 – 5/15/2022 Sanders Cove – 78 acresProposed burning dates: 11/15/2021 – 5/15/2022 Sanders Cove South – 58 acresProposed burning dates: 11/15/2021 – 5/15/2022 These burns are designed to meet multiple land management objectives including reducing the accumulation of hazardous fuels, improve forest health, improve access and visibility for forest management activities and improve wildlife habitat. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the...

Texas A&M Forest Service is planning for prescribed burns to take place on Leona General Land Office tracts during 2022. Two units have been identified and will be burned for a total of 47 acres this year. The units have proposed burning dates of 11/1/2021 – 4/29/2022. These burns are designed to meet multiple land management objectives including reducing the accumulation of hazardous fuels, improve forest health, improve access and visibility for forest management activities and improve wildlife habitat. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Texas A&M Forest Service personnel will monitor all prescribed burns to evaluate achievement of goals and help guide future prescriptions. Nearby residents can expect some lingering smoke effects overnight after the burns and may see some moderate to heavy smoke impacts for short periods during ignition operations. These effects...

Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands fire crews are preparing to proceed with pile burning on the Sandia Ranger District in the vicinity of Sulphur and Hondo Canyon pending suitable conditions.Winter is an optimal time to burn piled slash and woody debris from earlier forest restoration work because snow on the ground keeps the fire from spreading to adjacent vegetation. Generally, pile burns produce less smoke and burn with less intensity than broadcast burns across a larger landscape. Fire personnel will monitor the burn pit until it is completely

The 755 Fire, located near Encino in Brooks County, started on the afternoon of February 16, 2022 off of County Road 755. Multiple local fire departments responded to assist with the wildfire along with state resources from Texas A&M Forest Service. Texas A&M Forest Service established unified command with the local jurisdiction.The fire exhibited erratic behavior, moving quickly in grass and thick brush. Approximately 50 structures were threatened and saved. Aviation assisted ground crews with a Large Air Tanker (LAT) making two retardant drops and an Air Attack (AA) providing aerial surveillance. Heavy equipment from Texas A&M Forest Service, Brooks County, and private entities were also utilized to secure a perimeter. A voluntary evacuation was placed for residences along County Road 304 but has since been lifted. The fire was caused by a roadside ignition which spread quickly with high wind speeds and dry

This page will no longer be updated. Firefighters are currently engaged in a wildfire in Crockett County, located approximately 6 miles south of Barnhart on HWY 163. The Experiment Station #1 Fire started on February 15, 2022 at approximately 2:40 pm under elevated fire conditions. Texas A&M Forest Service is in unified command with local fire departments. The fire is burning in grass and brushy fuels. Additional resources are en route to assist with fire suppression

 On February 15, 2022 at approximately 3:30 PM a wildfire 2.5 miles from the town of Iowa Park. Over 30 structures threatened, shed 1 building and 1 abandoned home lost. Locals responders had 15 direct saves. State resources from Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) are on scene and have begun to create dozer line. TAMFS and local responders are working in unified

On February 15, 2022, at 2:00 PM, a wildfire started approximately 10 miles Northeast from the town of Jacksboro. The cause of the fire is unknown. Local responders along with State resources from Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) are currently engaged. There are three structures that are threatened with no losses. No road closures were reported at this time. TAMFS is in unified command with local fire

This page will no longer be updated. Firefighters are currently engaged in multiple wildfires in Irion County, located approximately 10 miles southwest of Mertzon on HWY 67. The Seep Draw Complex started on February 15, 2022 at approximately 2:30 pm under elevated fire conditions. Texas A&M Forest Service is in unified command with local fire departments. The fire is burning in grass and brushy fuels. Multiple structures have been reported as threatened. Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) resources are on scene assisting with fire suppression

Firefighters responded to the 735 Fire on Tuesday, February 15 in Jim Wells County north of Palito Blanco near County Road 735. The fire was actively burning in grass and heavy brush. Heavy brush created access issues. Texas A&M Forest Service assisted with heavy equipment and worked the western flank of the fire up to the head using roads to establish a perimeter. Local fire departments worked the eastern flank to secure a containment line. Forward progression has been stopped. Structures were threatened and saved with firefighters working late into the night to secure containment near structures and any other areas of

 Boyd, Texas - Texas A&M Forest Service is responding to a wildfire off FM 51. The fire started shortly after 1400 and resources quickly responded from multiple other fires in the area. This is a developing incident and more information will be published as it's available. Residents in the area should be aware of response vehicles and smoke in the

Fuels reduction programs involve mechanical or hand thinning projects, removing trees to reduce forest density and improve forest health. While larger logs are removed for use, unmarketable limbs, saplings, and brush are piled up for burning. Hand piles result from crews using chainsaws to thin the forest and then piling the sawn material; machine piles result from using logging equipment and primarily consist of tree limbs left behind after marketable material is removed.  Piles are only ignited when fuels managers are confident that the project can be undertaken safely and successfully. Snow cover, fuel moisture, precipitation, wind, temperature, and available firefighter staffing are all considered before beginning a pile burn. Piles which are ready for burning are prioritized based on elevation, aspect, access, and proximity to homes. Smoke, flames, and glowing embers are often visible, and are a normal part of pile burning operations. Snow helps contain the piles and...

Texas A&M Forest Service is planning for prescribed burns to take place at Davey Dogwood Park during 2022. Three burn units identified as block 1, 2 and 3 will be burned for a total of 153 acres. Block 1 – 69 acresProposed burning dates: 11/2021 – 2/2022 Block 2 – 57 acresProposed burning dates: 11/2021 – 2/2022 Block 3 – 27 acresProposed burning dates: 11/2021 – 2/2022 These burns are designed to meet multiple land management objectives including reducing the accumulation of hazardous fuels, improve forest health, improve access and visibility for forest management activities and improve wildlife habitat. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Texas A&M Forest Service personnel will monitor all prescribed burns to evaluate achievement of goals and help guide future prescriptions. Nearby residents can expect some lingering smoke effects overnight after...

Texas A&M Forest Service is planning for several prescribed burns to take place on Fort Wolters Texas Army National Guard land during 2022. Burn units identified as units 4, 5, 9, 11 and 13 will be burned for a total of 1,583 acres. Unit 4 – 309 acresProposed burning dates: 2/14/2022 – 2/18/2022 Unit 5 – 387 acresProposed burning dates: 2/14/2022 – 2/18/2022 Unit 9 – 297 acresProposed burning dates: 2/14/2022 – 2/18/2022 Unit 11 – 364 acresProposed burning dates: 2/14/2022 – 2/18/2022 Unit 13 – 226 acresProposed burning dates: 2/14/2022 – 2/18/2022 These burns are designed to meet multiple land management objectives including reducing the accumulation of hazardous fuels, improve forest health, improve access and visibility for forest management activities and improve wildlife habitat. Each prescribed burn unit has defined weather parameters and firing patterns to ensure the objectives for each unit have a high potential for success. Texas A&M Forest Service...