Bexar County Emergency Service District No. 7 has adopted a plan to reduce risks and better prepare for wildfires, including goals and strategies for identifying priorities and proposing immediate measures that will protect communities from wildland fire.

According to a news release, the plan was developed collaboratively with county officials, ESD No. 7 personnel and representatives from Texas A&M Forest Service.

Alex Bregenzer, Texas A&M Forest Service community wildfire protection program coordinator, said this type of collaborative plan features a complete community approach to wildfire mitigation.

“By implementing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, residents and communities within the ESD will actively address their wildfire risk and improve overall wildfire preparedness,” Bregenzer said in a statement.

Located in northwest Bexar County, Bexar County ESD No. 7 has strived to improve its communities’ wildfire preparedness, in part due to effects of nearby wildfires, agency officials said.



District 7 Fire Rescue has been instrumental in responding to wildfires that affect area communities. In 2022, the agency responded to several wildfires, including the 1,092-acre Das Goat Fire in Medina County and the 3,005-acre fire in the Camp Bullis area.

Esteban Marquez, District 7 Fire Rescue operations division chief, said the protection plan is a valuable tool in facilitating community engagement for wildfire risk reduction and preparedness.

“With this plan, we intend to provide our public valuable education on wildfire causes and actions that may be taken to decrease preventable fires. Furthermore, our [plan] provides the opportunity to target identified potential fuel reduction projects, training needs and mitigation strategies to reduce the wildfire risks,” Marquez said in a statement.