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We're tasked by the state with responding to wildfires. We study weather patterns, drought cycles and the status of vegetation across the state to predict when and where dangerous fire conditions may occur. Should a wildfire ignite, we maintain a statewide network of strategically-placed teams of firefighters and equipment so that we're able to respond quickly when the call comes.
Rural fire departments respond to 80 percent of wildfires in Texas - and they do it with shoestring budgets and almost entirely with volunteers. We help fire departments pay for needed training and equipment and help Texans learn how to prevent, prepare for and protect against wildfire.
With roughly 94 percent of forestland in Texas privately owned, the trees, forests—and the benefits they provide - rests in the hands of thousands of Texans. While keeping the entire state's forested landscape in mind, we inform and educate landowners on sustainable land management practices.
We work with communities to plant, care for and conserve trees. We empower local volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities. We are here to assist when disaster strikes with damage assessments, information, technical assistance and long-term recovery.
We analyze and monitor forests, landscapes and communities for susceptibility to health and wildfire risks. We take action with education, information, diagnosis and treatment. We know that any information we have is more powerful when we give it to you.
We can help quench your thirst for learning. Explore links to identify trees using their leaves and branches, create your own tree trails and experience Texas history from the perspective of a witness tree. Share activities in the classroom to open up a world of conservation for new generations.
Rural fire departments respond to 80 percent of the wildfires in Texas - and they do it with shoestring budgets and a staff often made up almost entirely of volunteers. Sometimes they need a little help. Our programs help fire departments pay for needed training and equipment. We also help communities and property owners learn to prevent, prepare for and protect against wildfire.
We work with communities to plant, care for and conserve trees where people live, work and play. We foster appreciation and stewardship of urban forests empowering local volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities. We are here to assist when disaster strikes. From damage assessment, to information and technical assistance, to long-term recovery - we help property owners and communities thrive.
Our experts research, analyze and carefully monitor forests, landscapes and communities for susceptibility to health and wildfire risks. We take action with education, information, diagnosis and treatment. We know that any information or knowledge we have is more powerful when we give it to you. As a state agency, our responsibility is share what we know.
If you have an unquenchable thirst for learning, we offer programs and information that you may either explore independently or share with a group. Learn about trees, forests, the benefits they provide and the challenges they face. Read stories about trees that are living witness to Texas history. Locate champion trees across the state. And bring activities into the classroom to open a world of conservation to a new generation.
-Fire Danger
+Wildland Fire Response
Fire Department Reporting
+Law Enforcement
TWPP
Wildfires are unpredictable and there is no way to anticipate the severity with which they burn or the impact they will have to communities. In some instances, wildfires cause minimal damage, eliminating vegetative competition and helping to improve the conditions of ecosystems. Some wildfires, however, can cause extensive damage to an area where rehabilitation and additional efforts to prevent and mitigate any future problems is required.
Firefighters take measures to repair damages and minimize the environmental impacts resulting from fire suppression activities. This work typically consists of repairing containment lines and knocking down berms constructed by hand or mechanized equipment and repairing roadways and trails as well as any staging areas, safety zones or drop points built and utilized by fire crews during response. The goal of suppression damage repairs is to stabilize the area and return it to as close to its natural state as possible.
If you need assistance after a wildfire with fire suppression damages or burned trees and vegetation, please send an email to postfirerehab@tfs.tamu.edu.
If your forest has been damaged this year by wildfire and you would like help returning it to a productive state, please complete and submit the form provided in the link below. A Texas A&M Forest Service forester will contact you and help you get on the road to recovery.
Request assistance with forest recovery after a wildfire
Wildfire Salvage Operations
Texas A&M Forest Service, along with partners of the Bastrop Recovery Project, lead the effort in the recovery and restoration of natural resources damaged and lost due to the wildfire in Central Texas.
Financial Assistance Programs for Private Landowners
Preventing Soil Erosion After a Fire
Technical Guide (PDF,4MB): Wildfire Recovery: Protecting your Property from Soil Erosion
Reforesting after a wildfire
Tree Planting
How to Plant a Seedling: video tutorial
How to Plant a Seedling Brochure (PDF, 4MB)
Trees for Bastrop Recovery
Lost Pines Seed Mixes
Liability for Hazardous Trees (PDF, 270KB)
Dealing With Standing Dead Snags
Controlling Brush After a Fire
Managing Wildlife After the Wildfire
Feeding Wildlife
What About the Houston Toad?
Minimizing Impacts to the Endangered Houston Toad (PDF, 41KB)
Agricultural Management Considerations
The First Evidence of Recovery
Fire-maintained Ecosystems
Taylor County Fire Recovery Workshop Wednesday, June 29 --- 9:00-1:00 Taylor County Extension Office 1982 Lytle Way Abilene, TX 79602 Free Registration: https://tinyurl.com/FireRecovery-Abilene
Find current wildfire activity, Texas fire potential, news and more.
Research reinforces what much of the forestry community already knows — that trees have a positive impact on human health. Learn more.
Storms often leave trees looking bare and deflated—but these looks can be deceiving. Trees have an uncanny ability to recover from storm damage. Before assuming your trees are lost, give them a quick assessment.
Texas A&M Forest Service warns of increased wildfire activity this weekend across the state The Texas fire environment will support increased wildfire activity through the weekend, as hot and dry conditions persist across the state.
Drought and trees - Explained Only mid-way through June and Texas has already seen extreme heat and very little rain this summer, with the trend predicted to continue.
Tree-killing Emerald Ash Borer confirmed in Wise County The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed this week in Wise County.