WILDFIRES: PREPARATION AND RESTORATION

Since last November, more than 3.6 million Texas acres have been burned by wildfires. The Texas Forest Service reports nearly 190 wildfires just since the early days of this September, with more than 1,700 homes destroyed. Central Texas witnessed the costliest fire in the state's history as the Bastrop fire, assisted by drought and high winds, charred 50 square miles, taking homes, pets, livestock, wildlife, and lives with it.

As the fires continued to rage, landowner client inquiries increased: How can wildfire destruction be prevented? How at risk is my property?

Plateau has always offered fire prevention services, but sometimes it takes a disaster hitting close to home to bring attention to an important area of land management. Our fire prevention-related services include:

• Brush management
• Debris clearing
• Creating fire breaks, buffer zones, and access trails
• Risk assessment

If you or someone you know was impacted by the fire, we also offer post-fire restoration services including:

• Post-fire clean up
• Cutting and shredding dead trees
• Erosion control
• Land restoration
• Fence rebuilding

For more information on how we can help protect and restore your property, contact Plateau at (512) 894-3479.

For quick and easy actions you can take right now to reduce your risk of fire:

• Cut the grass and weeds, rake leaves and pine needles around your house and structures and remove yard debris and branches
• Relocate woodpiles and leftover building materials at least 30 feet from the house
• Prune dead limbs to 6-8 feet from the ground around the house
• Store all gas, oil, and other combustibles away from the house
• Leave a minimum of 30 feet cleared space around the house to accommodate fire fighters and their equipment

And, finally, the most important thing to remember is to get out! If you've been ordered to evacuate, do not try to "stick it out." You're only risking your health, safety, and life, as well as the health, safety, and lives of others.

Tips courtesy Texas Forest Service. For more valuable information, visit the Texas Forest Service website at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu.

Want to help those battling the 2011 wildfires?
Those who want to help the departments battling the devastating 2011 wildfires are encouraged to donate directly to their local volunteer fire department.

Texas Forest Service has established the VFD Emergency Assistance Fund to help volunteer fire departments. Donations are tax deductible and can be earmarked for particular departments, counties or regions. All proceeds (100 percent) will be distributed to volunteer fire departments via grants for firefighting expenses.

Checks should be made payable to Texas Forest Service. If you'd like your donation to go to a specific department, region or county, please indicate that on the check.

Donations can be mailed to:
Texas Forest Service
John B. Connally Building
301 Tarrow, Ste. 421
College Station, Texas 77840-7896

If you have additional questions about how you can help, email HelpingTexas@tfs.tamu.edu.

Photo of a wildfire on property owned by a Plateau team member's family.

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Plateau Land & Wildlife Management helps Texas landowners protect and enhance their greatest asset -- their land -- with wildlife management plans, wildlife tax valuation assistance, qualifying wildlife management valuation activities, and more.