Hood and Somervell counties officially signed and adopted a joint Community Wildfire Protection Plan July 29, 2025, aimed at reducing wildfire risk and enhancing public safety.
A Community Wildfire Protection Plan is a proven framework for helping communities prepare for and mitigate wildfire threats. The Hood and Somervell Counties Joint Community Wildfire Protection Plan outlines goals, objectives and prioritized mitigation strategies to protect people, property and natural resources from the threat of wildland fire.
This plan marks the 28th countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and the first multi-county plan completed in Texas. It was developed, reviewed and approved through collaboration among Hood and Somervell County officials, city leaders, local volunteer and career fire departments and representatives from Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
“There is a great history of collaboration with Somervell County in all aspects of emergency planning,” said Margaret Campbell, Hood County Emergency Management Coordinator. “It only made sense that we continued that work with this level of detailed wildfire preparedness planning.”
Given that many high-risk landscapes and critical infrastructure are situated near the shared county boundary, a coordinated planning approach enhances both preparedness and response capabilities. This joint plan will strengthen regional resilience by aligning mitigation strategies, improving interagency coordination and ensuring the efficient use of resources to safeguard residents, property and emergency personnel across both counties.
“Somervell County is excited to finish this planning process and start implementing the good work that we have planned for the county to reduce wildfire risk,” said Brian Jones, Somervell County Emergency Management Coordinator.
Situated within the western cross timbers and prairies ecoregion, Hood and Somervell counties have experienced increased wildfire incidents and drought activity in recent years, highlighting the growing need for proactive planning between the two counties.
The Chalk Mountain Fire of 2022 burned 6,755 acres, destroyed 17 homes, and prompted widespread evacuations. The Big L Fire that same year burned 11,000 acres, damaged multiple structures, and resulted in firefighter injuries. Earlier, the 2011 Big Trickle Ranch Fire burned 6,500 acres, while Hood County’s Colony Fire affected 467 acres and also led to firefighter injuries. These incidents further emphasized the urgency of comprehensive wildfire preparedness across both counties.
“Signing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan doesn’t prevent wildfires,” said Jared Karns, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “But it’s a critical first step toward building a wildfire-resilient community by promoting preparedness, planning and coordinated response.”
Texas municipalities and counties interested in developing and adopting a Community Wildfire Protection Plan can contact [email protected].