Brown County Adopts Community Wildfire Protection Plan

BROWN COUNTY, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – Brown County has developed a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to help reduce and mitigate wildfire risk.

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan provides strategies and guidance for addressing structural ignitability and prioritizing fuel reduction efforts.

“This plan will give Brown County residents an opportunity to be a part of reducing the risk of devastating wildfires throughout the county,” said Darrell Johnston, Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator. “The plan also opens the door to grant opportunities to help fund the reduction of wildfire risks threatening the populated areas.”

The Texas A&M Forest Service has announced that this is the 26th countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan to be completed in the state. It was developed with input from county officials, local fire department representatives, the Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation District, and Texas A&M Forest Service.

“Writing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan was an important first step, and I want to express my gratitude to all of the stakeholders that contributed to this plan,” said Cy Tongate, Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation District Project Coordinator. “We are now aiming to get funding and implement the priority projects we outlined.”

Over the past five years, Brown County has experienced 540 wildfires, including the 3,456-acre Ramsey Fire in March 2022, which posed a threat to the town of Blanket.

“The impact of these wildfires displayed to the county and its emergency responders just how critical it is to be proactive in wildfire preparedness and risk reduction,” said Jared Karns, Texas A&M Forest Service Interim Fire Chief. “The Brown County plan is a crucial step toward creating a more resilient community, reducing both the likelihood and impact of wildfires.”

The Brown County Community Wildfire Protection Plan was approved by the Brown County Commissioners Court, local city officials, fire chiefs, Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation District, and Texas A&M Forest Service. The plan was signed into effect on September 23, 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.