Why prescribed fires are used to help prevent potential wildfire spread

Texas is in the midst of wildfire season. And current drought conditions across the state aren't helping when it comes to preventing wildfire spread if one were to start. One of the tools local officials and the Texas A&M Forest Service use to mitigate wildfire spread is by creating a small one. It's called a prescribed fire. It might sound counterintuitive that officials fight "future fire" with fire, but there's a good reason why.

A prescribed fire is a small wildfire that is intentionally set by local officials and constantly monitored until the fire is contained. It's a way to reduce and remove extra vegetation and overgrowth through burning it. The vegetation is identified as something that could allow for a future fire spread faster and farther if it were still present.

During a prescribed fire, officials will map out a specific area and use low-intensity fire methods to conduct the burn. This is to make sure they don't harm established and native plants or local wildlife.

Much of what they are burning off is debris or vegetation that is not native, thus more flammable in the case of wildfire. The prescribed burn area is then actively monitored throughout the entire process.

And while these are scheduled well in advance, there are a series of "no go" parameters that include things such as weather conditions, staffing, and safety that would warrant them to cancel and reschedule the burn for a different day.

While one of the primary reasons for prescribed burns is the prevention of wildfires, these burns can also act as a natural recycling method. Areas can see an increase in soil nutrients after a burn, as well as a reduction in insects and any diseases that might have been impacting other plants in the region.

While it can seem scary, these prescribed burns are essential in helping prevent larger wildfires, especially in Southeast Texas. As we continue to build out into nature, what's called a wildland urban interface, the threat for potential wildfires to threaten homes, businesses, and farmland is much higher. Prescribed fires are one way to help reduce that risk.

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