Benefits of Prescribed Fire in Natural AreasFort Worth, once known as 'the queen of the prairies' has a long history of fire. Historically, this area burned every 1-3 years prior to settlement (~1850). Lightning started pre-settlement fires. Native Americans used intentional fires to protect their camps from unintended fires, and also to attract hunted wildlife populations to lush new plant growth.
Today, the City of Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department uses prescribed fire to manage natural areas. Prescribed fire has many benefits for improving wildlife habitat that cannot be achieved with other land management practices (e.g. mowing, herbicide). Fire reduces vegetation build-up, returns nutrients to the soil, and controls invasive species. It is the most cost-effective tool we have to improve our natural areas. Experts in the Park & Recreation Department, partnering with the City of Fort Worth Fire Department use prescribed burns to more effectively manage Fort Worth's natural resources while also providing training opportunities for Fire Department staff and Park ecologists.
See more Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to prescribed fire on our prescribed fire webpage.