[texbirds] Prescribed Burn Planned for Government Canyon State Natural Area

From: "Stevan Hawkins" <shawkins4@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "TexBirds" <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2012 07:56:48 -0500
TexBirders:

 

See the below.

 


Thanks!

 

 

Steve

 

Stevan Hawkins

Education Committee, member

Friends of Government Canyon

 

 

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      Government Canyon State Natural Area

News_Masthead

                                    12861 Galm Road San Antonio, Texas 78254
FAX 210-688-9060

 

6-12-2012

Media Contact:  Chris Holm, Superintendent; 210-336-2360;
chris.holm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Prescribed Burn Planned for Government Canyon State Natural Area

 

SAN ANTONIO - Natural Area Superintendent Chris Holm announced today that
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff plans to conduct prescribed burns
at Government Canyon State Natural Area starting in June and continuing
through January.

The burns are expected to be conducted and completed in two to three days
each.  An open public meeting will be held at Government Canyon at 7 p.m. on
June 19, 2012 to provide information about the prescribed burn program and
to answer any questions about the burns. 

Prescribed burns are used as a management tool in natural areas and state
parks to improve habitat for wildlife by restoring woodlands and savannahs
in the Natural Area that were historically maintained by natural fires.
They also are conducted to reduce the amount of available fuels, such as
leaf litter, fallen branches, understory growth and dead trees that
accumulate naturally and from storm events.  By decreasing the amount of
available fuels, prescribed burns reduce the chance for a potentially
destructive wildfire to occur.  

Natural Area staffers already have begun preparing for the upcoming burns by
clearing vegetation and other fuels from the fire breaks established around
the perimeter of each area that will be burned this year.  Fuels and
vegetation also are cleared away from utility poles, structures, signs and
sensitive resources to protect them during the prescribed burns.   

Prescribed burns in natural areas and state parks are conducted by TPWD
personnel who have undergone training and met national wildland firefighting
certification standards.  The Natural Area's prescribed burn plan defines
the conditions under which a prescribed burn may be conducted, taking into
account wind speeds and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, and
fuel moisture levels.  The plan also guides fire crew members in managing
burns to prevent them from escaping into adjacent properties and to minimize
the effect of smoke in nearby residential areas.  

Because specific weather conditions are required to conduct an effective and
safe prescribed burn, TPWD staff cannot provide a specific date for the
burns at this time.  However, local emergency management officials will be
notified before a prescribed fire is implemented.  Holm said that during the
burn, the Natural Area would be closed to the public.  During the burn there
may be smoke that reduces visibility on neighboring roads and Holm cautions
travelers to reduce their speed and use their headlights when smoke is
present. 

For more information regarding the planned burn or to request notification
on the days when fires are ignited, please contact the Natural Area at
210-688-9055 or e-mail chris.holm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[texbirds] Prescribed Burn Planned for Government Canyon State Natural Area

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