FEMA Grant Toward Wildfire Prevention Secured

CEDAR PARK-LEANDER, TX -- Williamson County officials recently secured a $360,000 federal grant aimed at removing flammable vegetation that could potentially ignite catastrophic wildfires near developing Leander neighborhoods.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant calls for the agency to provide the funds contingent on the county kicking in 25 percent of the project cost—for a total project cost of $480,000. County officials disclosed the successful grant application Dec. 18.

Removal of natural materials that could create so-called crown wildfires is focused on the Southwest Williamson County Regional Park. County officials note the area surrounding the park has seen tremendous growth in recent years, best illustrated by new residential subdivisions valued at $80 million.

Vegetation and other natural materials—called “surface fuels” for their potential to ignite out-of-control wildfires—pose a serious threat to public safety in light of such population growth. Surface fuels are defined as all materials lying on or immediately above the ground— such as leaves, needles, duff, grass, dead wood, logs, stumps and low brush.

When such surface fuels accumulate, they make fires burn hotter and faster with greater flame lengths. As fires progress into areas of unencumbered brush or small trees, these materials achieve “ladder fuel” status—elevating what could’ve been a minor wildfire into a dangerous crown fire—the type that spreads from treetop to treetop.
In Leander, the elimination of such natural fuels covers a 24-acre area. The goal is to create a “shaded fuel break” that only eliminates hazardous vegetation while ensuring safe park landscape and vistas.

“We are very appreciative to have received the FEMA funding so that we can begin this process to benefit not only our park but the homes around it,” Randy Bell, the county’s Parks Department director, said. “It really is important for all property owners, not just parks, to assess their property and try to create defensible barriers to prevent the spread of fire.”

County officials added that they conducted extensive environmental assessments in pursuing the grant to determine no adverse environmental impact would ensue from the fuels mitigation project. To that end, the work is being stretched out—between Sept. 1 next year until Feb. 28, 2017—to minimize potential impact to endangered bird species, chiefly the golden-cheeked warbler.

Residents can learn more about creating defensible barriers around their homes by visiting firewise.org. Instructions and videos can be found there on how best to safeguard a home from the threat of wildfires.