The Texas A&M Forest Service will conduct prescribed burning operations at W. Goodrich Jones State Forest, possibly beginning Jan. 7 through Feb. 29, as weather permits, according to the agency.

The area—which is located between I-45 and Hwy. 242 within the state forest boundaries—is predominately pine forest.

Prescribed burning is considered a standard forest management tool for endangered species habitat restoration, undergrowth vegetation reduction and community safety, according to a news release from the Texas A&M Forest Service.

The objectives are to:
  • reduce the potential for devastating wildfire on state forest land;
  • restore forest ecological habitat for endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker populations;
  • improve access and visual landscape aesthetics for safety;
  • enhance wildlife habitat by increasing sunlight to the forest floor and desirable flora species; and
  • provide inter-departmental training between state and local emergency response resources.
The Texas A&M Forest Service will notify the surrounding city and fire officials, as well as area residents and groups who frequent the forest, by email and posting notification signs in adjoining right of ways. Agency firefighters and equipment will be stationed at the forest as a precautionary measure.
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