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We're tasked by the state with responding to wildfires. We study weather patterns, drought cycles and the status of vegetation across the state to predict when and where dangerous fire conditions may occur. Should a wildfire ignite, we maintain a statewide network of strategically-placed teams of firefighters and equipment so that we're able to respond quickly when the call comes.
Rural fire departments respond to 80 percent of wildfires in Texas - and they do it with shoestring budgets and almost entirely with volunteers. We help fire departments pay for needed training and equipment and help Texans learn how to prevent, prepare for and protect against wildfire.
With roughly 94 percent of forestland in Texas privately owned, the trees, forests—and the benefits they provide - rests in the hands of thousands of Texans. While keeping the entire state's forested landscape in mind, we inform and educate landowners on sustainable land management practices.
We work with communities to plant, care for and conserve trees. We empower local volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities. We are here to assist when disaster strikes with damage assessments, information, technical assistance and long-term recovery.
We analyze and monitor forests, landscapes and communities for susceptibility to health and wildfire risks. We take action with education, information, diagnosis and treatment. We know that any information we have is more powerful when we give it to you.
We can help quench your thirst for learning. Explore links to identify trees using their leaves and branches, create your own tree trails and experience Texas history from the perspective of a witness tree. Share activities in the classroom to open up a world of conservation for new generations.
Rural fire departments respond to 80 percent of the wildfires in Texas - and they do it with shoestring budgets and a staff often made up almost entirely of volunteers. Sometimes they need a little help. Our programs help fire departments pay for needed training and equipment. We also help communities and property owners learn to prevent, prepare for and protect against wildfire.
We work with communities to plant, care for and conserve trees where people live, work and play. We foster appreciation and stewardship of urban forests empowering local volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities. We are here to assist when disaster strikes. From damage assessment, to information and technical assistance, to long-term recovery - we help property owners and communities thrive.
Our experts research, analyze and carefully monitor forests, landscapes and communities for susceptibility to health and wildfire risks. We take action with education, information, diagnosis and treatment. We know that any information or knowledge we have is more powerful when we give it to you. As a state agency, our responsibility is share what we know.
If you have an unquenchable thirst for learning, we offer programs and information that you may either explore independently or share with a group. Learn about trees, forests, the benefits they provide and the challenges they face. Read stories about trees that are living witness to Texas history. Locate champion trees across the state. And bring activities into the classroom to open a world of conservation to a new generation.
+Landowner Assistance
+Forest Health
Vegetation Management
+Water Resources & BMPs
+Wildlife Management
+Forest Taxation
Forest Legacy
Windbreaks
+Prescribed Fires
Prescribed burns are important for proper land management. Please consider the following precautions and guidelines to help make sure your burn goes to plan.By engaging with local support agencies, prescribed fires can serve as a great way to prepare for wildfires across the state and help us better serve you.
The links below are set up to assist prescribed burn managers with each step of planning and implementing a safe and effective prescribed burn. Links are also available to provide more information to those who are just becoming interested in prescribed burning. Texas A&M Forest Service supports prescribed fire implementation by training and qualified individuals. For more information or if you have questions please go to the TFS contacts list at the bottom of this page.
Texas A&M Forest Service and its partners hold an annual Prescribed Burn Manager Training each spring (May/June) in the Lufkin, Texas area. The course is open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Limited seating is available and priority is given to students who meet the experience requirements for TDA certification. Students who pass the final exam will meet the education requirements for becoming a Texas Department of Agriculture- Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager in region 4 (East Texas). Additional requirements for certification include: 3 years of prescribed burning experience in this region, 30 days of prescribed burning in any region, 5 days of prescribed burning as the responsible individual, and qualifying insurance policy (TDA Prescribed Burn Program).The field day of this course requires students to demonstrate an ability to safely participate in a prescribed burn. For more information contact Andy McCrady, Texas A&M Forest Service- Program Coordinator- Fuels, at wmccrady@tfs.tamu.edu or simply fill out the registration form when it becomes available at this website in early spring.
Registration Form Available Here Soon
If you're a certified and insured prescribed burn manager looking for additional training and information, check out these videos from our latest Fire Training Webinar:
Soil and Water Quality BMPs for Firebreaks and Prescribed Fire
Burn Plan Parameters for Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Managers
Prescribed Burn Plans are documents utilized by individuals conducting a prescribed burn to outline the proposed plan of action. These documents usually take the form of a fillable template, are composed prior to the operation taking place, and are used as a reference by the “burn boss” during the burning period. There are many different burn plan versions in use, but it is generally recognized that the minimum burn plan has the following elements: Ownership and burn boss info, objectives and goals, site information, resources required for the burn, site description, weather and conditions required, safety and contingency plan, notification plan, Go/No-go checklist.
A Go/No-Go Checklist is a list of actions that the prescribed burn manager takes and checks off as a record to show that the treatment was implemented within the planned prescription and in a safe manner. The links on this page provide a step by step process to complete this checklists by providing all the necessary links to make notifications, check weather and fuels, and have resources in place.
Come to the 2019 Tax Workshop!
In addition to fighting wildfires, Texas A&M Forest Service is called upon to assist during all-hazard emergencies such as natural and man-made disasters and domestic situations. Follow @AllHazardsTFS on Twitter for the latest updated on incidents across the state.
The Bastrop Lost Pines Recovery AggieREPLANT will take place on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. Over the past five years, 2,000 students have planted 43,000 loblolly pine seedlings over 50 acres of parkland.
Texas A&M Forest Service launches online tools to assist Texas landowners Texas A&M Forest Service launched the Learn Plan Act Texas website in partnership with the Southern Group of State Foresters and the Texas Forestry Association to educate Texans on land stewardship practices. The agency also redesigned its My Land Management Connector application in an effort to make stewardship easier than ever before.
Texas A&M AgriLife awards TFS forester for public service Texas A&M AgriLife has awarded Andrew Crocker, Staff Forester for Texas A&M Forest Service, the 2017 Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Pubic Service in Forestry.
Texas A&M AgriLife awards forester for public service Texas A&M AgriLife has awarded Joel Hambright, Regional Forester for Texas A&M Forest Service, the 2018 Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Public Service in Forestry.