Prescribed Fire Planned for Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Map of Prescribed Areas to be burned.

Southern Plains Fire Group GIS

News Release Date: February 17, 2015

Contact: Tim Cruze, 806-857-3151

Contact: Bruce Fields, 806-865-3360

FRITCH, TX –Lake Meredith National Recreation Area will conduct multiple prescribed burns at the North end of the park in the areas of: North Canyon, Spring Canyon, the Stilling Basin, Water Authority, South Canyon, Sanford Yake, and Cedar Canyon (totaling 3970 acres) and at the South end in the areas of Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Mullinaw Crossing (totaling 535 acres) between the dates of February 19 and March 31, 2015. 

Fire managers plan to begin burning in the Mullinaw Crossing area this Thursday and Friday prior to the sand drag event. They will then move on to Chickasaw National Recreation Area to complete some prescribed fire projects prior to returning to Lake Meredith the week of March 2. Firefighters conduct prescribed fires only when conditions are conducive to safely burning, taking into consideration such factors as weather, fuel (vegetation) moisture and resource availability.

The purpose of the prescribed burns is to reduce hazardous fuels in the park around the communities of Fritch, Sanford, and Bugbee and also the Mullinaw area. The amount of moisture received in the last six months has caused an above average growth of grass, resulting in several areas of concern. 

These areas will be burned to reduce the dangers associated with catastrophic wildfires that could threaten public and firefighter safety and local communities or ranchlands. The National Park Service will use fire to reduce the grass load and to create a safer condition between the park and the communities.

The prescribed burns will be conducted as a cooperative effort between the National Park Service, Fritch VFD, Borger FD, Stinnett VFD, Hutchinson County VFD, Amarillo FD, Potter County VFD, and Randall County VFD.

During the prescribed burn some areas of the park may be closed to the public. Travelers should proceed with caution anytime there is smoke present by reducing vehicle speed and turning on their headlights. While temporary inconveniences may occur during the prescribed burning, the result will ultimately improve safety and recreational opportunities for the public.

For more information, please contact Bruce Fields, Fire Management Officer, at 806-865-3360 x426 or Todd Wood, Prescribed Fire Specialist at 806-865-3360 x422. For further information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4141/