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Sandhill RX
BIG THICKET NATIONAL PRESERVE, TX
Prescribed Fire Treatment
Started on or about
02/24/2009
Status as of
02/26/2009
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Location
Hardin County (TX)
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Estimated Containment Date
2/26/2009
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Park Status
A section of the Turkey Creek trail was closed for two days. That trail is opened today;2/26,2009.
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Overview
Big Thicket National Preserve conducted the seventh prescribed burn for the Sandhill unit. The Kirby Nature Trail includes the Sandhill loop, and is a favorite hiking trail due to the diverse plant communities encountered along the trail. The sandhill includes a longleaf pine savanna encompassing several rare fire dependent wildflowers. This was the first prescribed burn for the Preserve following Hurricane Ike and was made possible by the assistance of Bandelier Fire Use Module.
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Vegetation Affected
Longleaf pine (southeast)
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Air / Smoke Issues
Burn unit is in a remote roadless area, and smoke was up and dispersed quickly within one burn period.
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Benefits of the Burn
• Hazard Fuels Reduction- Implement a low to moderate intensity understory burn to reduce dead and down forest fuels, fire prune lower tree branches, and cause mortality to mid story brush; predominately yaupon (Ilex vomitoria).
• Maintain Natural Processes- Maintain and promote vegetation diversity that is adapted to this area’s natural fire regime. Through the use of fire consume litter and duff creating a sterile wood ash seedbed for grasses and forbs. Bringing fire into the upland and midslope forest on a regular cycle (three years return interval) promotes:
-Increasing species richness (up to 40 species per square meter in a healthy longleaf savannah)
-Promote longleaf reproduction
-Red Cockaded woodpecker habitat
-Texas trailing phlox habitat
-Battle exotic species encroachment
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Partners Involved
Bandelier Fire Use Module four fire fighters for preparation and execution of the burn.
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Contact Information
DW Ivans
Phone Number: 409 951-6852
DW_Ivans@nps.gov
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