News Release

Padre Island National Seashore Plans Prescribed Fire to Benefit Island Ecosystem

Wildland firefighters use drip torches to ignite grasses along a dirt road

NPS Photo

News Release Date: February 10, 2022

Contact: Kelly Taylor, 361-949-8173 ext. 427

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Padre Island National Seashore, with the assistance of fire crews from Big Thicket National Preserve, is preparing to conduct a prescribed burn at the seashore to reduce the amount of dead, overgrown grasses, revitalize island plant communities, and protect seashore infrastructure and historic resources from future wildland fires. Approximately 1,183 acres will be burned as part of this operation.

The burn is expected to take two days and is currently planned to occur on Sunday, February 13 and Monday, February 14, 2022. Specific timing of the operation will depend on wind and weather conditions. If conditions are not favorable, the burn may be delayed later in the week or beyond. Fire crews will be on site for the duration of the burn.

The primary objective of the prescribed burn is to remove dead, overgrown grasses and grass thatch from four locations along the east side of Park Road 22 in the national seashore. Fire is the most effective method to remove the grasses and improve habitat for a variety of species, including secretive birds that live and nest in the coastal prairie.

Smoke will be visible from parts of Corpus Christi, including Flour Bluff and North Padre Island, Port Aransas and Rockport throughout the days of the burn, mostly during the warmest part of the day. Delays or closures along Park Road 22 and other park roads may be possible during the burn.

 

Information and updates on the prescribed burn will be available in the Alerts section of www.nps.gov/pais and on the Padre Island National Seashore Facebook page, @PadreIslandNPS. To learn more about the role of prescribed fire at the national seashore, please visit https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/management/firemanagement.htm

###

About Padre Island National SeashorePadre Island National Seashore preserves, protects and interprets the outstanding natural, cultural and recreational resources of the longest undeveloped barrier island in the United States and its surrounding water for public benefit, inspiration and scientific understanding. The park’s 130,000 acres and waters provide important habitat for marine and terrestrial plants and animals, including several rare, threatened and endangered species. Learn more at www.nps.gov/pais.