Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Lillian Reed with Natural Resource Solutions L.C., Alexander Bregenzer with Texas A&M Forest Service and Coryell County Judge Roger Miller answer audience questions at the first public meeting for the Coryell County Wildfire Protection Plan.
After a series of wildfires across Gatesville and surroundings areas, experts and local entities are joining together to develop a plan that reduces the risk of wildfires and ensures the safety of properties and homes.
A public meeting was held on Aug. 23 to introduce the purpose of Coryell County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and to receive initial input from residents. Several groups are helping the county create the plan, including The American Conservation Foundation, Natural Resource Solutions L.C., and Texas A&M Forest Service.
“This is going to help mitigate against risks for wildfires but also promote the ecosystem health and the protection of human lives and property,” said Lillian Reed with Natural Resource Solutions L.C.
The creation of the plan involves conducting risk assessments to identify which areas are at the highest risk for wildfires. This allows each community within the county to have its own tailored mitigation strategies for wildfire prevention and protection.
“We are trying to look at this as not just a one size fits all,” Coryell County Judge Roger Miller said. “Each of our incorporated areas are going to have strategies, and the county overall will have strategies.”
Through a series of public meetings, the county will also receive insight from its citizens, local fire departments, and state and local agencies to help shape the plan based on the community’s needs.
“I think the most important thing is that this is not just a rural plan,” Miller said. “There are components of this that are going to apply to the City of Gatesville, and we hope the city will implement those strategies.”
The plan will also include how to prepare if a wildfire occurs as well as how to build an environment that is more resilient against wildfires.
“It’s really important to be prepared for wildfires when they happen,” said Alexander Bregenzer, the mitigation and prevention department program coordinator with Texas A&M Forest Service. “We want to make sure that people are aware of what’s happening within their community.”
Once the wildfire protection plan is developed, the county can apply for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant, a federal grant that helps at-risk communities plan for and reduce the risk of wildfires.If awarded, the county could be eligible for up to $10 million for a project described within the plan.Texas A&M Forest Service will lead the application process once the CWPP is complete.
There will be two more public meetings to discuss the wildfire protection plan. The second meeting will be held on Sept. 20 and will cover risk assessments and training.
Learn more about Coryell County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan on www.coryellcountycwpp.com.
