PRESS RELEASE
Conroe – The Texas Forest service soon will be conducting prescribed burning operations at the Jones State Forest in Conroe. Wildfires can destroy homes, natural resources and wildlife habitats. Controlled fire – also known as prescribed burning – reduces brush and debris in the forest, which in turn lessens the threat of wildfires and promotes healthier forests.
Considered a standard forest management tool, the prescribed burning will take place as weather permits. Operations could begin as early as Jan. 25, 2012, and run through Feb. 16, 2012.
About 400 acres of predominately pine forests are expected to undergo prescribed burning. The affected area is north of F.M. 1488, east of Carriage Hills, south of Jacobs Reserve and west of The Mansions in Conroe.
The Texas Forest Service is notifying surrounding city and fire officials, as well as area residents and groups who frequent the forest, by email and posting notification signs in adjoining rights of way. Agency firefighters will be staged at the forest as a precautionary measure.
"Ultimately, this prescribed burn will make the Jones a healthier forest and better protect neighboring residents, should a catastrophic wildfire ever break out here in the forest," said Urban District Forester John Warner. "Community and resident safety is always our No. 1 concern."
For more information, contact Urban District Forester John Warner or Resource Specialist and Burn Boss Raymond Uballe at 936-273-2261.