Texas Parks & Wildlife Plans Prescribed Burn for San Angelo State Park

SAN ANGELO, TX - The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD)  will conduct a prescribed burn starting today through Friday, Jan. 13. The burn will take place inside San Angelo State Park. 

Specific weather conditions are required to conduct an effective and safe prescribed burn, so there won't be any specific times for the burns.

However, local emergency management officials will be notified before implementation of any prescribed burns. Park Superintendent, Kurt Kemp, stated that ,during the burn, some areas of the park will be closed to the public, including some of the trails.

Above: Joe Hyde gets a shot of the first prescribed burn from the air while flying over San Angelo.

During the burn, there may be smoke that reduces visibility on neighboring roads, and Superintendent Kemp cautions travelers to reduce their speed and use their headlights when smoke is present.

TPWD officials said prescribed burns are used as a management tool in state parks to improve habitat for wildlife by restoring forest and prairie habitats on the park 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 reducing the amount of available fuels, prescribed burns reduce the chance for a potentially destructive wildfire to occur.

For more information regarding the planned burn, please contact the park at 325-949-4757 or 325-949-8935.