COLLEGE STATION, Texas — On September 23, 2024 Brown County implemented a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, becoming the latest county to adopt the plan which aids in reducing and mitigating wildfire risk.

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan provides strategies and directed guidance for addressing structural ignitability and prioritizing fuels reduction efforts. The Brown County plan serves as the initial step to enhancing the resilience and safety of communities against wildfire threats.

“This plan will give Brown County residents an opportunity to be a part of reducing the risk of devastating wildfires throughout the county,” said Darrell Johnston, Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator. “The plan also opens the door to grant opportunities to help fund the reduction of wildfire risks threatening the populated areas.”

This is the 26th countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan to be completed in the state, and was developed in collaboration with county officials, local fire department representatives, the Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation District and Texas A&M Forest Service.

“Writing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan was an important first step, and I want to express my gratitude to all of the stakeholders that contributed to this plan,” said Cy Tongate, Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation District Project Coordinator. “We are now aiming to get funding and implement the priority projects we outlined.”

Over the past five years, 540 wildfires have burned within Brown County, including the 3,456-acre Ramsey Fire that ignited on March 20, 2022, and threatened 100 homes near the town of Blanket, Texas. While no homes were destroyed as a result of the Ramsey Fire, the wildfire activity in Brown County highlights the need for effective fire management strategies and community preparedness.

“The impact of these wildfires displayed to the county and its emergency responders just how critical it is to be proactive in wildfire preparedness and risk reduction,” said Jared Karns, Texas A&M Forest Service Interim Fire Chief. “The Brown County plan is a crucial step toward creating a more resilient community, reducing both the likelihood and impact of wildfires.”

The Brown County Community Wildfire Protection Plan has been approved and accepted by the Brown County Commissioners Court, local city officials and fire chiefs, Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation District and Texas A&M Forest Service. The plan was signed into effect on Sept. 23, 2024.

To learn more about Community Wildfire Protection Plans, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/ProtectYourCommunity/.

Photos: Click here for photos from the CWPP signing on Sept. 23, in Brown County.

Presentation: Click here  for the presentation to Brown County Commissioners Court.