Shelby County Today

April 11, 2016 - This winter and spring the U.S. Forest Service fire personnel have successfully treated more than 77,000 acres with prescribed fire.
 
These controlled burns dramatically reduces the chances of a future wildfire spreading out of control,” said Peter Goetzinger, fire management officer for the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.
 
“We will continue evaluating opportunities to burn into May, and as always, our primary concern is for firefighter and public safety,” he said. “We want the public to know what we’re doing when we conduct burns. These controlled fires are conducted by experienced, qualified firefighters that work as a team to ignite, monitor and ensure the fire stays within the control lines.”
 
The Forest Service only conducts these activities under specific weather conditions and are based on daily fire weather forecasts from the National Weather Service. Forest Service fire personnel take into account predicted weather conditions, modelled, fie behavior before conducting a burn.  Other considerations in include risk management, the right Place, the right time,  right plan, the right resource and the right duration.
 
“Folks may see a helicopter overhead, smoke columns rising and smoke settling in low-lying areas. Anytime there is a fire, there is going to be smoke,” Goetzinger said. “There will be times when smoke will settle in low-lying areas especially during the late evenings, overnight and early morning hours.” Signs are posted along travel corridors warning the public of activities and potential smoke impacts, we ask that people slow down when they see these signs.  Though smoke may not present where the sign may be located, it may be present in a low-lying area a mile or two ahead.
 
For those with respiratory problems, we recommend they close windows and ventilate their homes by using the air conditioning or heating system. Some may want to leave the area until the smoke clears. We encourage anyone sensitive to smoke to contact the local Ranger’s Office to provide information so we can notify you in advance of planned burns in your area. If drivers encounter smoke on the road, they should reduce their speed and use low beam lights to become more visible to other traffic.
 
Prescribed fire benefit wildlife habitat by removing dead/dying material from the understory which improves the availability of forage and the quality of browse for wildlife. Reducing the underbrush improves foraging, brood, and nesting habitat for turkey, quail, deer, and other wildlife species.
 
“The bottom line is that prescribed fire and resulting smoke is a short term inconvenience that results in a long term gain by benefitting wildlife, improving forest health, and protecting homes and property from destructive wildfires,” Goetzinger said.