Texas A&M Forest Service

April 23, 2012 – FORT DAVIS, Texas – Jeff Davis County residents interested in learning how to protect themselves from wildfire are invited to a Wildfire Preparedness Seminar next week.

The meeting is set at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the McDonald Observatory Fire Station, 200 Lunar Circle, Fort Davis.

Representatives from the Texas Forest Service will be on hand to talk about the wildfire outlook for 2012 and what residents can do to protect their home, property and family from the devastation of wildfire.

Residents will be introduced to the Ready, Set, Go! personal wildfire action plan. The plan provides checklists for families to work through so there is a clear understanding of what to do when a fire breaks out.

McDonald Observatory is a recognized Firewise Community USA and has taken many proactive steps to reduce the risk of loss during a wildfire, including structure hardening and creating fire breaks throughout the property. This proactive approach will be showcased and discussed during the meeting along with the efforts of other area Firewise Communities.

Last year’s Rockhouse Fire – one of the largest in Texas history – threatened the observatory, burning more than 314,000 acres and destroying 41 homes in Jeff Davis and Presidio counties. Additionally, the Tejano Canyon Fire burned more than 12,000 acres near the observatory last summer.

“With the scars of the Rockhouse and Tejano Canyon fires still visible from the observatory, we hope to empower residents with the appropriate tools and knowledge to take a proactive approach to upcoming wildfire seasons,” said Patrick Allen, a Wildland Urban Interface Specialist with Texas Forest Service.

For more information, visit www.texasfirestorm.org and www.texasfirewise.org.

Meeting Details:
What: Wildfire Preparedness Seminar
When: Thursday, May 3, at 7 p.m.
Where: McDonald Observatory Fire Station, 200 Lunar Circle, Fort Davis

Contact:
Patrick Allen, Wildland Urban Interface Specialist
979-204-9648, pallen@tfs.tamu.edu

Writer:
April Saginor, Communications Specialist
979-458-6619, asaginor@tfs.tamu.edu


WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS SEMINAR SCHEDULED AT MCDONALD OBSERVATORY

[ Print \| ] April 23, 2012 – FORT DAVIS, Texas – Jeff Davis County residents interested in learning how to protect themselves from wildfire are invited to a Wildfire Preparedness Seminar next week. The meeting is set at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the McDonald Observatory Fire Station, 200 Lunar Circle, Fort Davis. Representatives from the Texas Forest Service will be on hand to talk about the wildfire outlook for 2012 and what residents can do to protect their home, property and family from the devastation of wildfire. Residents will be introduced to the Ready, Set, Go! personal wildfire action plan. The plan provides checklists for families to work through so there is a clear understanding of what to do when a fire breaks out. McDonald Observatory is a recognized Firewise Community USA and has taken many proactive steps to reduce the risk of loss during a wildfire, including structure hardening and creating fire breaks throughout the property. This proactive approach will be showcased and discussed during the meeting along with the efforts of other area Firewise Communities. Last year’s Rockhouse Fire – one of the largest in Texas history – threatened the observatory, burning more than 314,000 acres and destroying 41 homes in Jeff Davis and Presidio counties. Additionally, the Tejano Canyon Fire burned more than 12,000 acres near the observatory last summer. “With the scars of the Rockhouse and Tejano Canyon fires still visible from the observatory, we hope to empower residents with the appropriate tools and knowledge to take a proactive approach to upcoming wildfire seasons,” said Patrick Allen, a Wildland Urban Interface Specialist with Texas Forest Service. For more information, visit www.texasfirestorm.org and www.texasfirewise.org. Meeting Details: What: Wildfire Preparedness Seminar When: Thursday, May 3, at 7 p.m. Where: McDonald Observatory Fire Station, 200 Lunar Circle, Fort Davis Contact: Patrick Allen, Wildland Urban Interface Specialist 979-204-9648, pallen@tfs.tamu.edu Writer: April Saginor, Communications Specialist 979-458-6619, asaginor@tfs.tamu.edu