Collaboration reduces wildland fire risk in Texas panhandle

Firefighters work along Highway 207 in Carson County, Texas.

NPS - J. McDaniel

CARSON COUNTY, Texas – In February 2024, the Smokehouse Creek and Windy Deuce fires devastated the Texas Panhandle, burning over one million acres and destroying more than 130 homes. A year later, the National Park Service’s Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (NRA) fire management staff, along with more than a dozen local and state fire agencies, used lessons learned from that tragedy to inform planning and execution of a successful prescribed fire project to increase wildfire protection for at-risk communities. The eight-mile long Highway 207 Right-of-way prescribed fire cleared overgrown vegetation along the roadway to reduce the probability of fire jumping the highway during severe weather events, such as those experienced during the 2024 fires.

This project will help protect nearby communities for several years. However, one of the greater impacts lies within the collaboration between local partners and federal and state agencies. These relationships were strengthened under the intense pressures of the 2024 Texas Panhandle fires and those connections proved valuable in identifying lessons learned from those shared experiences. Several of these partners gathered shortly after the 2024 fires to identify lessons and actions needed from that experience, culminating in a comprehensive After Action Review (AAR).

A key recommendation from the AAR is leveraging these worst-case scenarios to create effective public outreach programs that convey the importance of ongoing hazardous fuels mitigation work. Clear messaging about these prescribed fire and fuels reduction projects will help combat what is often called “notification fatigue,” ensuring that residents remain vigilant and proactive in recognizing fire risks. Cooperative efforts like the Highway 207 prescribed fire highlight the critical mitigation work required to prepare communities for extreme wildland fire events.

Additionally, the Highway 207 prescribed fire demonstrates the importance of involving local ranchers and landowners in wildfire preparedness. NPS staff have been able to leverage local interest by offering basic wildland firefighter training courses and introducing core concepts of wildfire behavior. Educating ranchers and community members empowers them to recognize fire risks and take proactive steps on their properties, strengthening the overall response during wildfire emergencies. By fostering a culture of preparedness, these communities will better mitigate wildfire risks.

Lake Meredith NRA’s collaboration with local agencies during the Highway 207 prescribed fire reaffirms the NPS's role as a trusted advisor in fire management in the Texas panhandle. By focusing efforts on projects with a high probability of success and learning from past experiences, effective collaborative wildfire risk reduction initiatives can be created. This proactive approach to land management will help bridge gaps between public agencies and local residents, creating a collaborative environment essential for comprehensive fire management.

The successful execution of the Highway 207 prescribed fire exemplifies the NPS's ability to combine operational expertise with community engagement initiatives. By applying lessons learned from the 2024 Texas Panhandle wildfires, outreach and mitigation strategies are enhanced, while also generating enthusiasm among local agencies, ranchers, and communities for wildfire training and preparedness. This holistic approach not only protects communities, but also fosters a resilient culture of fire management that prioritizes safety, prevention, and collaboration.