WACO, TX — The Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) plans to conduct a 70 acre prescribed burn at the Waco Wetlands scheduled January or February 2020.
The dates for the prescribed burn have not yet been scheduled.
According to TFS, prescribed burns are used as a management tool in natural areas and state parks to improve habitat for wildlife by restoring woodlands, wetlands and savannahs in the Waco Wetlands Area that were historically maintained by natural fires. They are also conducted to reduce the amount of available fuels, such as cedar, willow trees, fallen branches, understory growth and dead trees that accumulate naturally and from storm events. By decreasing the amount of available fuels, prescribed burns reduce the chance for a potentially destructive wildfire to occur.
TFS staff cannot provide a specific date for the burns because specific weather conditions are required to conduct an effective and safe prescribed burn.
They said local emergency management officials will be notified before a prescribed fire is implemented.
The TFS Burn Boss advises that there may be smoke that reduces visibility on neighboring roads and asks travelers to reduce their speed and use their headlights when smoke is present.
