August 26, 2019 — Through the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, the USDA Forest Service awarded the first grant to a project in Texas. The funds will benefit a community forest project on Sink Creek in the city of San Marcos, Hays County, Texas.
August 26, 2019 — Due to exceptional drought conditions in the panhandle and south Texas, Governor Greg Abbott issued a state of disaster on Friday, August 23. Abbott announced the state of disaster in Duval, Hall, Jim Hogg, Randall, Swisher, Webb and Zapata counties.
August 21, 2019 — Texas A&M Forest Service launched the Learn Plan Act Texas website in partnership with the Southern Group of State Foresters and the Texas Forestry Association to educate Texans on land stewardship practices. The agency also redesigned its My Land Management Connector application in an effort to make stewardship easier than ever before.
August 20, 2019 College Station, Texas — The Southern Area Type 1 Incident Management Red Team arrived in Texas this week to assist with the Copper Breaks Fire in Hardeman County.
The Copper Breaks Fire is approximately 11 miles southwest of Quanah, Texas, and is currently 8,380 acres and 40% contained. As triple digit temperatures persist and vegetation continues to dry out, significant fire activity has increased across the state of Texas. This summer drying trend is expected to continue in the upcoming weeks.
August 16, 2019 — Texas A&M Forest Service is opening the Austin Airtanker Base at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to assist with increased wildfire activity across the state.
Significant fire activity has increased recently, particularly in northwest Texas, Central Texas and the Cross Timbers region where hot and dry conditions persist and fuel loading is high. Critical fuel dryness is expanding across South Texas, the Hill Country and Rolling Plains as rainfall deficits continue to build across large portions of the state.
August 14, 2019 San Angelo, Texas — Over the last 14 days in West Texas, temperatures climbed over 100 degrees and the last significant rain occurred in June, resulting in dry conditions ripe for wildfire ignition. Local fire departments responded to multiple fires sparked by welding in the last week.
Texas A&M Forest Service reminds everyone to be aware of the increased wildfire potential while using welding equipment and encourages preventative measures and maintenance to avoid ignitions.
August 12, 2019 - Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments remind people operating equipment outdoors to be aware of current conditions to help reduce wildfires.
Over the past week, Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters responded to six wildfires ignited by equipment use.
Equipment use continues to be a major cause of wildfires. Each year, people using chainsaws, weed eaters, lawn mowers, welders, grinders, bulldozers, farm harvesting equipment, off-road vehicles and other equipment that generate sparks, start numerous fires.
August 9, 2019 College Station, TX — Smokey Bear, the face of the longest-running PSA campaign in United States history, turns 75 today, continuing his legacy of bringing awareness to unwanted, human-caused fires in America.
July 2, 2019 – As Texans make plans to celebrate the Fourth of July with picnics, parades, grilling a favorite dish or using fireworks, Texas A&M Forest Service encourages everyone to be careful with outdoor activities that may cause a spark.
Approximately 90 percent of wildfires are caused by humans and their activities, and Independence Day is one of the top days for reported wildfires. Recent rains have reduced some of the potential for wildfires across much of the state, but it is still important to be careful when it comes to wildfire prevention.
May 16, 2019 - This year marks 50 years since the Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program (WGFTIP) was established in 1969. The program formalized the collaborative tree improvement efforts led by Texas A&M Forest Service.
Tree improvement supports research in forest genetics, selection, breeding and testing, and technology transfer for the long-range regeneration of our forests. Over the past 50 years, WGFTIP has contributed research to the forest industry and has positively impacted forest health and the economy.