News Release:  Government Canyon State Natural Area
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
 12861 Galm Road
San Antonio, Texas 78254
210-688-9055
Date: December 3, 2007
For Immediate Release

Area Manager – Deirdre Hisler
Area Asst. Manager – Trey Cooksey

Prescribed Fire Planned at
   Government Canyon State Natural Area

  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is planning to conduct a prescribed fire this week (Dec. 5th – 7th) within Government Canyon State Natural Area (GCSNA) in San Antonio. The prescribed fire will be conducted according to a detailed plan, which includes burn objectives, required weather conditions, and operational procedures, in addition to staff, equipment, and other resources required to effectively conduct the burn. As weather conditions permit, TPWD plans to burn 179 acres of the Natural Area as part of a land management strategy to reduce woodland fuels capable of supporting dangerous wildfires, and restore historic plant and animal habitats. If weather conditions are not suitable to conduct the prescribed fire this week, the burn may be postponed to a later date this winter.

  The prescribed fire will be completed by trained and experienced wildland firefighters with TPWD, San Antonio Fire Department, and the Texas Forest Service. The planned burn has been coordinated with city and state officials, and will be conducted in accordance with all appropriate environmental regulations. Adjacent landowners and all appropriate authorities will be notified, prior to initiating the prescribed fire.

  Safety, of course, is TPWD’s first priority during a prescribed burn. Fire personnel consider all current and forecasted weather conditions to predict fire behavior and smoke dispersal. Burns are only conducted when conditions indicate they will meet land management objectives while preventing threats to adjacent properties and smoke-sensitive-areas.

  So, keep your eye on the horizon, and if you see smoke above the trees at Government Canyon State Natural Area, be assured that TPWD is working to preserve this unique ecosystem and its associated wildlife for generations to come. For questions about GCSNA’s prescribed fire program, contact GCSNA at 210-688-9055.

Government Canyon Visitor Center Flood of August 2007