The importance of prescribed burns ahead of wildfire season
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County officials conducted a prescribed burn Thursday at Pace Bend Park in Spicewood to demonstrate the importance of wildfire preparedness.
Travis County officials discussed the role prescribed burns play in reducing wildfire risk, as well as the importance of maintaining healthy landscapes and protecting communities ahead of wildfire season.
Travis County Judge Andy Brown, Travis County Commissioner for Pct. 3 Ann Howard, Travis County Parks, the Pedernales Fire Department, Lake Travis Fire Rescue, Travis County Office of Emergency Management and Travis County STAR Flight were all in attendance during the demonstration.
Tony Haden, the fire chief for Travis County ESD No. 8, said one of the most effective strategies you can take to protect your home and property is to create a defensible space around your home.
“This means clearing out dead vegetation. It means trimming trees and keeping your grass cut short,” Haden said. “Good rule of thumb is to maintain at least 30 feet of a defensible space around your home. This is going to take place by removing flammable materials. Keeping that landscaping well maintained gives you a buffer, and it slows the spread of fire, which gives our firefighters the best chance to defend your property.”
According to the county, interior trails in the northeast portion of the park were closed during the burn.
