The Texas Forest Service along with the Lake Dam Volunteer Fire Department hosted a Wildfire Academy at Camp Bowie recently which came to a close with a final prescribed burn on Monday.

According to Texas A&M Forest Service Wildland Urban Interface Specialist Phillip Truitt, there were approximately 1101 total acres burned total to offer protection and reduce wildfire risk.

“Fire is a natural part of the ecosystem in Texas and these prescribed fires preformed here at Camp Bowie will greatly benefit the native species of vegetation while reducing wildfire risk,” said Truitt.

There were approximately 40 firefighters working on the prescribed fire on Monday, where 100 acres were burned.  The prescribed fire was successful and helped with firefighter training, habitation restoration, and fuels reduction, according to Truitt. The firefighters burned about 991 acres on Friday with an additional 10 acres over the weekend to teach ignition techniques.

Departments that assisted with the burn on Monday were the Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Army National Guard, Valley Mills Volunteer Fire Department, Desdemona VFD, and Lake Dam VFD, Austin Fire Department.

“The skills that these firefighters have learned here will help them more effectively protect lives and property in their home regions,” Truitt said.

The burns are now all complete and the academy is now over for the students until next year’s academy.

Pictured above is a firefighter from the Dallas Fire Department Hand Crew on ignitions.  Below are more photos of the firefighters working the prescribed burn at the academy.  Photos contributed by Phillip Truitt, Texas Forest Service.

Firefighter lights a test fire to see if the fire behavior meets the prescription for the burn.

Texas Army National Guard firefighter on ignition of the burn.