Prescribed burn planned for W.G. Jones State Forest near Conroe on Jan. 15

Prescribed burning serves as a forest management tool that officials use to restore habitat, reduce undergrowth and improve community safety by cutting down the fuel that can feed wildfires, the release states. The planned burn also targets habitat restoration for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and will include interdepartmental training for state and local emergency response resources.

According to the release, the burn also:

• Improves access and visual landscape aesthetics for safety
• Enhance wildlife habitat by increasing sunlight to the forest floor and desirable flora species

The agency plans to notify surrounding city and fire officials as well as area residents and groups who frequent the forest by email, and it will post notification signs in adjoining rights of way, according to the release. Firefighters and equipment will be staged on-site as a precaution, and some areas of the forest will be closed to the public during operations.