The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been lifted. 

Oak Mott Fire Update: March 2, 2022 1930 hours
Location: Willacy/Kenedy County line, approximately 3 miles north of Raymondville on the east side of HWY 77
Acreage: approximately 512 acres
Containment: 50% contained
Temporary Flight Restriction Information: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_2_9989.html 

Ground crews continue to work to secure and connect containment lines. Fire activity is currently minimal with creeping and smoldering. Relative humidity values are increasing. Any nearby structures have been protected. Heavy equipment, engines, and support personnel and apparatus will be on scene into the evening to construct and improve containment lines, mop up any hot spots, and patrol the fire perimeter. 

Weather: Relative humidity values should reach near 100% overnight which will be very beneficial.  

 A Temporary Flight Restriction has been issued for the Oak Mott Fire near Raymondville in order to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operating in the area. Flying a drone near wildfires can pose a threat to firefighting aircraft and its crew. 

What is prescribed fire?

Prescribed fire is the planned application of low-intensity fire to the landscape by fire and fuel specialists. These burns are planned in accordance with applicable laws, policies and regulations to meet specific land management objectives.

Why does Texas A&M Forest Service conduct prescribed fires?

Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient land management tools that we use as a part of active forest and land management. Fire has always been part of the environment and plays a vital role in maintaining certain ecosystems. Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools we have in preventing wildfires and managing the intensity and spread of wildfires. The benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Protect communities from destructive wildfires by reducing hazardous fuel build up,
• Give firefighters a safer place to work while fighting a wildfire,
• Promote new growth and soil health,
• Minimize the spread of pests, insects and disease,
• Improve wildfire habitat, and
• An efficient, cost-effective way to reduce hazardous fuels.  

What is a burn plan?

Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire practitioners write a burn plan for every project. The plan identifies the best conditions for conducting the fire to get the best results keeping in mind public and firefighter safety.

The plans written by Texas A&M Forest Servicce are thorough and include specific prescription parameters, a list of notifications to be made, smoke management considerations, vegetation and surface fuel information, natural resources or other considerations (e.g., endangered species habitat) in the project area, maps, objectives, weather considerations, personnel and equipment needed, safety hazards and any post-burn activities.

A burn plan outlines weather parameters for when fire can safely be put on the ground to meet the outlined objectives. This includes temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction and fuel moistures. Weather conditions are not only considered for the time of ignition but also the period prior to and after a prescribed fire.

Other agencies and entities that conduct prescribed burns may follow different guidelines and procedures when writing their burn plans.

Who does the burning on Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fires?

All prescribed fires led by Texas A&M Forest Service are conducted by trained and qualified professionals who are experienced in the areas of fire behavior and fire management techniques. Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire burn managers are certified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and every prescribed fire has a qualified burn boss in charge of that project.

Other agencies and burn practitioners may have different certifications or licenses according to their governing entity’s protocols and guidelines.

What is a burn boss?

The prescribed fire burn boss ensures that all prescribed fire plan specifications are met before, during and after a prescribed fire. They are responsible for writing burn plans, determining an appropriate time to conduct the burn, obtaining weather forecasts, considering smoke management, notifying officials, obtaining all equipment and qualified personnel needed. The burn boss oversees the prescribed fire and ensures that operations are conducted in a safe manner for personnel and the public before, during and after a burn.

What about the smoke?

Prescribed fires produce low intensity smoke and the impact to an area is short term. Fire managers recognize that smoke is a concern to many communities, so they carefully evaluate smoke dispersion conditions to minimize impacts to the public and nearby communities.

When does the burning occur?

Texas A&M Forest Service conducts most of their prescribed fires during the dormant season between November and April.

Do prescribed fires need to be reported in advance?

By Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rule, if you are burning for forest management purposes, you are required to notify the Texas A&M Forest Service prior to conducting any prescribed burning. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages citizens statewide to notify an agency dispatch office prior to any prescribed burning. This is simply a notification in advance of conducting a prescribed fire; Texas A&M Forest Service does not grant approval for any burn.

What is prescribed fire?

Prescribed fire is the planned application of low-intensity fire to the landscape by fire and fuel specialists. These burns are planned in accordance with applicable laws, policies and regulations to meet specific land management objectives.

Why does Texas A&M Forest Service conduct prescribed fires?

Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient land management tools that we use as a part of active forest and land management. Fire has always been part of the environment and plays a vital role in maintaining certain ecosystems. Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools we have in preventing wildfires and managing the intensity and spread of wildfires. The benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Protect communities from destructive wildfires by reducing hazardous fuel build up,
• Give firefighters a safer place to work while fighting a wildfire,
• Promote new growth and soil health,
• Minimize the spread of pests, insects and disease,
• Improve wildfire habitat, and
• An efficient, cost-effective way to reduce hazardous fuels.  

What is a burn plan?

Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire practitioners write a burn plan for every project. The plan identifies the best conditions for conducting the fire to get the best results keeping in mind public and firefighter safety.

The plans written by Texas A&M Forest Servicce are thorough and include specific prescription parameters, a list of notifications to be made, smoke management considerations, vegetation and surface fuel information, natural resources or other considerations (e.g., endangered species habitat) in the project area, maps, objectives, weather considerations, personnel and equipment needed, safety hazards and any post-burn activities.

A burn plan outlines weather parameters for when fire can safely be put on the ground to meet the outlined objectives. This includes temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction and fuel moistures. Weather conditions are not only considered for the time of ignition but also the period prior to and after a prescribed fire.

Other agencies and entities that conduct prescribed burns may follow different guidelines and procedures when writing their burn plans.

Who does the burning on Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fires?

All prescribed fires led by Texas A&M Forest Service are conducted by trained and qualified professionals who are experienced in the areas of fire behavior and fire management techniques. Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire burn managers are certified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and every prescribed fire has a qualified burn boss in charge of that project.

Other agencies and burn practitioners may have different certifications or licenses according to their governing entity’s protocols and guidelines.

What is a burn boss?

The prescribed fire burn boss ensures that all prescribed fire plan specifications are met before, during and after a prescribed fire. They are responsible for writing burn plans, determining an appropriate time to conduct the burn, obtaining weather forecasts, considering smoke management, notifying officials, obtaining all equipment and qualified personnel needed. The burn boss oversees the prescribed fire and ensures that operations are conducted in a safe manner for personnel and the public before, during and after a burn.

What about the smoke?

Prescribed fires produce low intensity smoke and the impact to an area is short term. Fire managers recognize that smoke is a concern to many communities, so they carefully evaluate smoke dispersion conditions to minimize impacts to the public and nearby communities.

When does the burning occur?

Texas A&M Forest Service conducts most of their prescribed fires during the dormant season between November and April.

Do prescribed fires need to be reported in advance?

By Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rule, if you are burning for forest management purposes, you are required to notify the Texas A&M Forest Service prior to conducting any prescribed burning. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages citizens statewide to notify an agency dispatch office prior to any prescribed burning. This is simply a notification in advance of conducting a prescribed fire; Texas A&M Forest Service does not grant approval for any burn.

What is prescribed fire?

Prescribed fire is the planned application of low-intensity fire to the landscape by fire and fuel specialists. These burns are planned in accordance with applicable laws, policies and regulations to meet specific land management objectives.

Why does Texas A&M Forest Service conduct prescribed fires?

Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient land management tools that we use as a part of active forest and land management. Fire has always been part of the environment and plays a vital role in maintaining certain ecosystems. Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools we have in preventing wildfires and managing the intensity and spread of wildfires. The benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Protect communities from destructive wildfires by reducing hazardous fuel build up,
• Give firefighters a safer place to work while fighting a wildfire,
• Promote new growth and soil health,
• Minimize the spread of pests, insects and disease,
• Improve wildfire habitat, and
• An efficient, cost-effective way to reduce hazardous fuels.  

What is a burn plan?

Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire practitioners write a burn plan for every project. The plan identifies the best conditions for conducting the fire to get the best results keeping in mind public and firefighter safety.

The plans written by Texas A&M Forest Servicce are thorough and include specific prescription parameters, a list of notifications to be made, smoke management considerations, vegetation and surface fuel information, natural resources or other considerations (e.g., endangered species habitat) in the project area, maps, objectives, weather considerations, personnel and equipment needed, safety hazards and any post-burn activities.

A burn plan outlines weather parameters for when fire can safely be put on the ground to meet the outlined objectives. This includes temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction and fuel moistures. Weather conditions are not only considered for the time of ignition but also the period prior to and after a prescribed fire.

Other agencies and entities that conduct prescribed burns may follow different guidelines and procedures when writing their burn plans.

Who does the burning on Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fires?

All prescribed fires led by Texas A&M Forest Service are conducted by trained and qualified professionals who are experienced in the areas of fire behavior and fire management techniques. Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire burn managers are certified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and every prescribed fire has a qualified burn boss in charge of that project.

Other agencies and burn practitioners may have different certifications or licenses according to their governing entity’s protocols and guidelines.

What is a burn boss?

The prescribed fire burn boss ensures that all prescribed fire plan specifications are met before, during and after a prescribed fire. They are responsible for writing burn plans, determining an appropriate time to conduct the burn, obtaining weather forecasts, considering smoke management, notifying officials, obtaining all equipment and qualified personnel needed. The burn boss oversees the prescribed fire and ensures that operations are conducted in a safe manner for personnel and the public before, during and after a burn.

What about the smoke?

Prescribed fires produce low intensity smoke and the impact to an area is short term. Fire managers recognize that smoke is a concern to many communities, so they carefully evaluate smoke dispersion conditions to minimize impacts to the public and nearby communities.

When does the burning occur?

Texas A&M Forest Service conducts most of their prescribed fires during the dormant season between November and April.

Do prescribed fires need to be reported in advance?

By Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rule, if you are burning for forest management purposes, you are required to notify the Texas A&M Forest Service prior to conducting any prescribed burning. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages citizens statewide to notify an agency dispatch office prior to any prescribed burning. This is simply a notification in advance of conducting a prescribed fire; Texas A&M Forest Service does not grant approval for any burn.

What is prescribed fire?

Prescribed fire is the planned application of low-intensity fire to the landscape by fire and fuel specialists. These burns are planned in accordance with applicable laws, policies and regulations to meet specific land management objectives.

Why does Texas A&M Forest Service conduct prescribed fires?

Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient land management tools that we use as a part of active forest and land management. Fire has always been part of the environment and plays a vital role in maintaining certain ecosystems. Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools we have in preventing wildfires and managing the intensity and spread of wildfires. The benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Protect communities from destructive wildfires by reducing hazardous fuel build up,
• Give firefighters a safer place to work while fighting a wildfire,
• Promote new growth and soil health,
• Minimize the spread of pests, insects and disease,
• Improve wildfire habitat, and
• An efficient, cost-effective way to reduce hazardous fuels.  

What is a burn plan?

Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire practitioners write a burn plan for every project. The plan identifies the best conditions for conducting the fire to get the best results keeping in mind public and firefighter safety.

The plans written by Texas A&M Forest Servicce are thorough and include specific prescription parameters, a list of notifications to be made, smoke management considerations, vegetation and surface fuel information, natural resources or other considerations (e.g., endangered species habitat) in the project area, maps, objectives, weather considerations, personnel and equipment needed, safety hazards and any post-burn activities.

A burn plan outlines weather parameters for when fire can safely be put on the ground to meet the outlined objectives. This includes temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction and fuel moistures. Weather conditions are not only considered for the time of ignition but also the period prior to and after a prescribed fire.

Other agencies and entities that conduct prescribed burns may follow different guidelines and procedures when writing their burn plans.

Who does the burning on Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fires?

All prescribed fires led by Texas A&M Forest Service are conducted by trained and qualified professionals who are experienced in the areas of fire behavior and fire management techniques. Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire burn managers are certified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and every prescribed fire has a qualified burn boss in charge of that project.

Other agencies and burn practitioners may have different certifications or licenses according to their governing entity’s protocols and guidelines.

What is a burn boss?

The prescribed fire burn boss ensures that all prescribed fire plan specifications are met before, during and after a prescribed fire. They are responsible for writing burn plans, determining an appropriate time to conduct the burn, obtaining weather forecasts, considering smoke management, notifying officials, obtaining all equipment and qualified personnel needed. The burn boss oversees the prescribed fire and ensures that operations are conducted in a safe manner for personnel and the public before, during and after a burn.

What about the smoke?

Prescribed fires produce low intensity smoke and the impact to an area is short term. Fire managers recognize that smoke is a concern to many communities, so they carefully evaluate smoke dispersion conditions to minimize impacts to the public and nearby communities.

When does the burning occur?

Texas A&M Forest Service conducts most of their prescribed fires during the dormant season between November and April.

Do prescribed fires need to be reported in advance?

By Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rule, if you are burning for forest management purposes, you are required to notify the Texas A&M Forest Service prior to conducting any prescribed burning. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages citizens statewide to notify an agency dispatch office prior to any prescribed burning. This is simply a notification in advance of conducting a prescribed fire; Texas A&M Forest Service does not grant approval for any burn.

What is prescribed fire?

Prescribed fire is the planned application of low-intensity fire to the landscape by fire and fuel specialists. These burns are planned in accordance with applicable laws, policies and regulations to meet specific land management objectives.

Why does Texas A&M Forest Service conduct prescribed fires?

Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient land management tools that we use as a part of active forest and land management. Fire has always been part of the environment and plays a vital role in maintaining certain ecosystems. Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools we have in preventing wildfires and managing the intensity and spread of wildfires. The benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Protect communities from destructive wildfires by reducing hazardous fuel build up,
• Give firefighters a safer place to work while fighting a wildfire,
• Promote new growth and soil health,
• Minimize the spread of pests, insects and disease,
• Improve wildfire habitat, and
• An efficient, cost-effective way to reduce hazardous fuels.  

What is a burn plan?

Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire practitioners write a burn plan for every project. The plan identifies the best conditions for conducting the fire to get the best results keeping in mind public and firefighter safety.

The plans written by Texas A&M Forest Servicce are thorough and include specific prescription parameters, a list of notifications to be made, smoke management considerations, vegetation and surface fuel information, natural resources or other considerations (e.g., endangered species habitat) in the project area, maps, objectives, weather considerations, personnel and equipment needed, safety hazards and any post-burn activities.

A burn plan outlines weather parameters for when fire can safely be put on the ground to meet the outlined objectives. This includes temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction and fuel moistures. Weather conditions are not only considered for the time of ignition but also the period prior to and after a prescribed fire.

Other agencies and entities that conduct prescribed burns may follow different guidelines and procedures when writing their burn plans.

Who does the burning on Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fires?

All prescribed fires led by Texas A&M Forest Service are conducted by trained and qualified professionals who are experienced in the areas of fire behavior and fire management techniques. Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire burn managers are certified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and every prescribed fire has a qualified burn boss in charge of that project.

Other agencies and burn practitioners may have different certifications or licenses according to their governing entity’s protocols and guidelines.

What is a burn boss?

The prescribed fire burn boss ensures that all prescribed fire plan specifications are met before, during and after a prescribed fire. They are responsible for writing burn plans, determining an appropriate time to conduct the burn, obtaining weather forecasts, considering smoke management, notifying officials, obtaining all equipment and qualified personnel needed. The burn boss oversees the prescribed fire and ensures that operations are conducted in a safe manner for personnel and the public before, during and after a burn.

What about the smoke?

Prescribed fires produce low intensity smoke and the impact to an area is short term. Fire managers recognize that smoke is a concern to many communities, so they carefully evaluate smoke dispersion conditions to minimize impacts to the public and nearby communities.

When does the burning occur?

Texas A&M Forest Service conducts most of their prescribed fires during the dormant season between November and April.

Do prescribed fires need to be reported in advance?

By Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rule, if you are burning for forest management purposes, you are required to notify the Texas A&M Forest Service prior to conducting any prescribed burning. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages citizens statewide to notify an agency dispatch office prior to any prescribed burning. This is simply a notification in advance of conducting a prescribed fire; Texas A&M Forest Service does not grant approval for any burn.

 Cadillac Fire Update
February 22, 2022
1:00 pm
 
Size: 143 acres
Containment: 95%
Date Started: January 22, 2022 
Cause: Under Investigation 

Crews from Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid Service and Potter County Fire Department are on scene and will continue to mop up and monitor the fire. Winds have decreased since yesterday sustaining at 15-20 mph and gusts up to 25-30 mph.
 
Evacuations have been lifted and public is able to return to their homes.

Cadillac Fire Update
February 21, 2022
7:30 pm
 
Size: 128 acres
Containment: 60%
Date Started: January 21, 2022 
Cause: Under Investigation 

Resources are mopping up and monitoring the fire conditions within the impacted area. Fire behavior has decreased significantly, with smoldering heavy fuels still producing smoke and heat. There were confirmed 18 Commercial structures, 96 residential structures, 98 outbuildings, and 37 campers/trailers saved. Additionally, 4 residential structures and 11 outbuildings were lost. Leadership is continuing to make tactical decisions keeping the shifting weather conditions in mind. A cold front is expected this evening with winds coming out of the North at 10-15mph.
 
Evacuations are still currently in place, with evacuated residents able to shelter at The Church at Bushland, 1800 FM2381, Bushland.