Prescribed burn planned today at Houston Arboretum in Memorial Park

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- If you see smoke at Memorial Park today, don't worry. There is a prescribed burn planned at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.

It begins at 10 a.m. and should end around 1 p.m. at the arboretum, located near the I-610 West Loop and Woodway Drive.

The Houston Fire Department and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department conducted another prescribed burn this time last year.

The burn mimics the natural fire cycle, and its purpose is to reduce fire threats by getting rid of vegetation that has accumulated over the years.

Houston fire officials will be coordinating with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to monitor air quality during the prescribed burn.

During the fire, residents may see smoke in their area or on nearby roads. HFD asks that residents near the burn site refrain from calling 911.

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