U.S. Forest Service conducts prescribed burns

U.S. Forest Service fire personnel have begun prescribed burns on the National Forests in East Texas and will continue the burns during the next few months.

Fire is an important component of the land management plan to reduce forest fuels and restore historic plant and animal habitats.

"During the next few weeks, folks near the national forests may see a helicopter overhead, smoke columns rising, additional traffic along Forest Service roads, and occasionally, smoke settling in low lying areas at night," according to Fire Management Officer Ron Haugen.

Some counties have declared burn bans, but these do not apply to the U.S. Forest Service. The Forest Service conducts prescribed burning only when weather conditions are most favorable and fire personnel take into account weather conditions and fire behavior before conducting a burn. They work as team to monitor the burns and make sure the fire does not cross the lines.

If drivers encounter smoke on the road, they should reduce their speed and use their low beam lights to become more visible to other traffic. In some areas, Forest Service fire personnel will be visiting property owners living closest to the burn areas to explain safety procedures and the benefits of prescribed fire.

Prescribed fires not only reduce fuel accumulations that might contribute to a catastrophic wildfire, they reduce the height of shrubs and bring new plant growth back down within the reach of foraging deer.