Dyess firefighters set fires to lessen wildfire risk

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Will Powell
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Dyess firefighters responded to a brush fire Jan. 18 that was dangerously close to base housing, but only moments after safely extinguishing the fire, the Airmen purposely started one. 

The planned fire, known as a prescribed or management burn, was intentionally set using hand torches in the same area as the brush fire. The crew decided to initiate the burn and expand the natural fire in order to reduce hazardous natural "fuel loads" surrounding base housing after ensuring the weather conditions were right. 

"(The Airmen) took a potentially disastrous situation and turned it into an opportunity," said Lt. Col. Chris Womack, 7th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, referring to the brush fire. 

The small prescribed burn near base housing totaled about five acres, but a prescribed burn successfully conducted by base firefighters and the 7th CES environmental flight the day prior resulted in burning 115 acres. This large burn was part of the crew's training for managing prescribed burns. 

According to Kim Walton, 7th CES Natural Resources Program manager, the two prescribed burns were the first ever for Dyess. He said the base has large amounts of vegetation overgrowth from years of growing without prescribed burns or livestock to reduce the growth. 

Management fires reduce the fuel load - brush, sticks, small trees, and dried grass - that would fuel a wildfire; therefore reducing the likelihood of wildfires and helping to promote regeneration of low-lying plants. The wildlife also benefits from the reduction of overgrowth, and many ecosystems require periodic fire to remain in a healthy productive state, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Web site. 

The firefighters and environmental flight take all safety precautions and ensure the fire is maintained and controlled at all times. Current and predicted wind direction and wind speed, relative humidity, fuel moisture, temperature, mixing height and transport wind speed are all considered before conducting a prescribed burn. Prescribed burn plans are generated for each burn and specific conditions must be met before they ignite the first flame, Mr. Walton said. 

However, smoke management is always a primary concern, he said. 

"Attempting to conduct prescribed burns within the confines of Dyess and adjacent to the city of Abilene and Tye, imposes limits that further restrict how, when, and where we can conduct the burns," said Mr. Walton. "It is inevitable that there will be impacts from smoke. Our intent is to minimize these impacts by generating sound prescriptions. 
However the potential for wildfire, as demonstrated by the fire Jan. 18, is substantial and we ask that base personnel and our neighbors understand why these burns are necessary." 

More prescribed burns are planned for this year weather permitting.