Community Impact sat down with Glaiser and Forster to discuss wildfire risks in Williamson County, the district’s ongoing efforts to enhance fire safety and the importance of community involvement. They highlighted the district’s commitment to proactive training, specialized equipment and strategic planning to ensure residents remain safe in the face of increasing wildfire threats.
What wildfire risks do Williamson County residents face, and how is ESD No. 9 with its affiliated fire departments rising to the challenge?
Glaiser: As the area develops, the risk of wildfires remains a concern, especially in ESD No. 9, which is divided by the interstate. The east side is surrounded by open farmland, while the west side has rocky terrain with cedar trees that become fire hazards in dry months. Even in irrigated neighborhoods, strong winds and flammable fences increase the risk.
The 2011 Bastrop fire, along with fires in neighborhoods like Moonglow, highlighted the need for better wildland firefighting training. Since then, we’ve increased training, including prescribed burns with the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, improving our ability to manage wildland fires across the region.
What are some of the unique aspects of communities in ESD No. 9 and Williamson County that might put them at greater risk of wildland fires?
Glaiser: Cedar and pine trees contain oils in their needles, making them highly flammable and a fire hazard in dry conditions. When burned, they release embers that can start spot fires up to 300-400 feet away. They spread quickly, as seen in the 2011 Bastrop Complex Fire.
What makes fire risk such a concern in Williamson County?
Glaiser: As our area grows, homes are being built on land that was once heavily vegetated or wooded. People often assume the risk goes away, but it really depends on the neighborhood. Some developments clear everything out, but they usually leave green belts as a buffer between neighborhoods. Green belts often include walking trails and benches, which also create a potential fire risk. In the rainy season, it's not much of an issue, but once it dries out in the summer, with lower humidity, the fire risk increases. This isn't just a concern for green belts, but for homeowners as well.
Forster: Williamson County has a great park system, and we’re also seeing a growing trail network connecting many of these parks. There's a well-thought-out master plan for our community, and the parks play a key role in that. For example, ESD No. 9 covers Williamson County Regional Park, and we work closely with the park and its departments. The parks are generally good stewards of their land, but they do want to prevent any issues in the park from spreading to nearby neighborhoods, or vice versa. It’s a mix of urban and wildland development that creates unique challenges.
What efforts are being made to reduce fire-related risk in the county?
Forster: The Bastrop fires were a wake-up call. ESD No. 9 has been around since 2006. Since then, we've invested in specialized equipment for wildlands firefighting, including a special truck, an air-conditioned trailer and a Polaris Utility Task Wildlands Vehicle. These UTVs help us access difficult areas and complement traditional brush trucks. A few years ago, we also added a search and rescue platform, which includes a specialty UTV, a truck and a rescue dog named Dixie.
Additionally, Williamson County Emergency Management is working on a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to assess risks and improve safety countywide. ESD No. 9 supports this initiative and will assist with resources and implementation. It’s an exciting development for the county.
How does the Wildlands Response team engage with the local community to help reduce fire risks?
Glaiser: We're at our max capacity when it comes to actively helping with mitigation, but we do respond when citizens or neighborhoods reach out. We’ve conducted walk-throughs, offering advice on reducing fire risk—things like tree trimming, as well as cutting back grass and keeping it short. The difference in heat output between 2-inch grass and 2-foot-tall grass is significant. Short grass burns quickly with minimal heat, while taller grass fuels a much hotter fire.
If mitigation extends beyond Home Owners Association or property owner limits, our fire marshals or code enforcement can step in, working with landowners to find solutions. Some landowners have even cleared 50 to 60-foot-wide lanes to remove brush, creating a buffer and reducing fire risk.
What are the future plans for improving fire risk management in Williamson County?
Glaiser: Williamson County currently lacks the resources for widespread prevention, but the county is updating its Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which helps cities secure grants for mitigation efforts like clearing firebreaks.
Forster: Funding is a key challenge for ESD No. 9, which is limited by state regulations. To address this, a sales tax proposal will be on the May ballot. ESD No. 9 is also investing in equipment, with a second wildlands unit, including an all-terrain vehicle, trailer and truck. This will improve access to rugged areas and strengthen wildfire response. Existing equipment will be redeployed to expand coverage. It will essentially double the amount of equipment that is available to take care of community needs. These investments, along with community support, are essential for increasing safety and preparedness.
What can local residents do to help with fire prevention and risk reduction?
Glaiser: Maintaining your lawn and surrounding area is key, especially during dry months. Be proactive—trim grass and trees, keep areas irrigated and report any hazards quickly. While city public works maintain some right-of-ways, rural areas rely more on property owners. The more moisture in the grass, the slower it burns, reducing fire risk. If you see something unsafe, report it promptly to help mitigate potential damage.
What role did Round Rock and other local ESDs play in responding to the California wildfires?
Glaiser: The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System provides resources for wildfire and disaster response. In 2015, we received a grant for a brush truck through TIFMAS, adding to equipment from ESD No. 9 and city purchases. Agencies like us who are lucky enough to have received these grants from TIFMAS agree to send crews for emergencies statewide and beyond. Our last out-of-state deployment was to California. This system helps us give back, knowing Texas will need aid in the future, as seen with last year's Panhandle fires.
How has the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires affected the strategies being implemented by the Wildlands Response team?
Glaiser: Firefighting strategies must adapt to changing landscapes. Thirty years ago, Round Rock had more cornfields. Now, much of the land is grassland for cattle grazing. Grass fires can be deceptive—seemingly small flames can quickly grow into 16-foot walls of fire with a strong gust of wind, posing serious danger.
To stay prepared, we continually train and avoid complacency. Deployments through TIFMAS help by exposing crews to different terrains, whether in Texas or beyond. These experiences keep our firefighters sharp, ensuring they remain engaged and ready to respond effectively.
How can residents stay updated on fire risks and emergency alerts in Williamson County?
Forster: Residents can find more information on the Williamson County website, including burn bans, emergency alerts and updates from the Fire Marshal. For real-time information on wildfire locations, smoke plumes and air quality, visit the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map. To learn more about wildfire risks in your area and additional homeowner resources, residents can visit the Texas Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal. Most importantly, if you see something concerning, report it. Don't assume it's nothing. Taking action helps protect your property and your community. Being a good neighbor means looking out for one another and stepping up when needed.
Williamson County ESD No. 9 remains dedicated to safeguarding the community through proactive wildfire prevention, advanced training and strategic investments in emergency response. As the region continues to grow, the district’s commitment to preparedness and collaboration ensures that residents receive the highest level of fire protection. By staying engaged with the community and adapting to evolving challenges, ESD No. 9 is focused on building a safer future for Williamson County.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
