Texas A&M Forest Service Awards $951,000 to Landowners for Prescribed Fire

February 12, 2025 —Texas A&M Forest Service awarded over $951,000 to 168 landowners to conduct prescribed fires this year. This funding will treat 35,138 acres.

Prescribed fire is a strategic land management tool that uses low-intensity fire on a specific area of land to achieve set goals. Prescribed fire is the most effective and efficient land management tool for decreasing the risk of catastrophic wildfires by reducing hazardous fuels.

Prevent the Spread of Oak Wilt in Texas

February 4, 2025 – Oak wilt is one of the deadliest tree diseases in the United States, killing millions of trees across 76 Texas counties. Texans can help prevent it from spreading by avoiding pruning or wounding oak trees from February through June.

Don’t Move Firewood, Prevent the Spread of Invasive Pests and Diseases

October 18, 2024 – As fall-like weather occurs across the state, Texas A&M Forest Service urges all Texans to help reduce the spread of oak wilt and invasive insects by taking preventive measures and being cautious when collecting, transporting and purchasing firewood.

Funding Opportunities Available to East Texas Landowners for Prescribed Burning

September 4, 2024 — Texas A&M Forest Service is offering more than $800,000 in grants to help East Texas landowners offset the cost of prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risks and restore ecosystems.

The grant application is now available for eligible landowners conducting prescribed burns on their property by certified and insured prescribed burn managers. The deadline to apply is September 30. Eligible landowners may receive reimbursement for up to $30 per acre for the costs of the prescribed burn, but rates may vary.

Texas A&M Forest Service Forester Receives National Smokey Bear Award

Michelle Moore, Texas A&M Forest Service Forester (left) received the Smokey Bear award from Scott Phillips, National Association of State Foresters President (right), in Washington, D.C.

Sabine National Forest Timber Sales Invested in Sabine and Shelby Counties

July 26, 2024 —Sabine and Shelby counties received $657,492 for county road improvement projects from timber sale profits on the Sabine National Forest through the Good Neighbor Authority partnership.

Texans Should Stay Prepared as Extreme Wildfire Danger Increases

March 12, 2024 — Extremely critical fire weather conditions are expected to be widespread in the Texas Panhandle tomorrow near Amarillo, Borger, Canadian, Childress, Lubbock, Pampa and Perryton.

As Largest Wildfire in Texas History Burns, Use Caution as Wildfire Potential Increases Over the Weekend

February 29, 2024 — The largest wildfire in Texas history is actively burning today. The Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County is burning a total of 1,075,000 acres across Texas and Oklahoma and is 3% contained.