Austin Water’s Wildland Conservation Division plans to conduct a prescribed burn on approximately 224 acres of the Water Quality Protection Lands on Thursday, September 12.
The Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) program actively manages more than 30,000 acres to benefit the quality and quantity of water recharging the Edwards Aquifer, which provides water to both Barton Springs and groundwater wells in Hays and Travis Counties. Austin Water's Wildland Conservation Division oversees these lands.
“Conducting prescribed burns is one of the strategies used to manage these lands and protect groundwater in Central Texas,” said Matt Lore of Austin Water's Wildland Conservation Division. “Prescribed burns improve the resiliency of our land when they are used as a planned seasonal management tool.”
Prescribed burns mimic the natural fire cycle in a controlled manner, limiting fire intensity and serving both natural landscapes and human communities by reducing the potential for destructive wildfires. These fires reduce brush and promote grasslands that provide optimal quality and quantity of water to recharge the aquifer. According to Wildland Conservation staff, wildflowers and native grass communities exhibit greater biodiversity after prescribed fires. Grassland birds such as quail and northern harrier hawks benefit from open habitats created post-fire for nesting and feeding.
A team of highly trained professionals comprising Austin Water staff, city and county fire departments, and federal, state, and local land management agencies ensures safety is their primary objective. Partnerships with agencies like the US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, the Wildflower Center, the Texas Forest Service, Travis County Natural Resources, along with coordination with the Austin Fire Department, neighboring fire departments, and emergency service districts contribute to Austin Water’s successful prescribed burn program.
All personnel meet specific training, experience, fitness, and personal protective equipment requirements for their roles on the fireline. Each burn prescription considers weather conditions—including wind and past precipitation—and requires specific parameters to ensure that fire behavior meets objectives and can be safely controlled.
Austin Water will notify the public and neighbors before each prescribed burn event. Notifications will include maps with specific locations. Neighbors or interested parties can sign up for email notifications at this link.
For regular updates about prescribed burns: www.facebook.com/AustinWater or www.twitter.com/AustinWater