The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host the Texas A&M AgriLife Wildfire Preparation and Response workshop Nov. 9 at locations in the Panhandle and South Plains region.
The speakers will be in person at the Pampa location, with virtual satellite locations across the High Plains.
There will be a $10 registration fee and registration will begin at 9 a.m. at each location.
RSVPs are requested by Nov. 4. The satellite locations, along with numbers to call to RSVP, are:
- Economic Development Corporation, 200 N. Ballard, Pampa, 806-669-8033.
- AgriLife Extension office for Garza County, 225 Main St., Post, 520-405-0221.
- AgriLife Extension office for Lubbock County, 916 Main St., Suite 201, Lubbock, 806-775-1680.
- AgriLife Extension office for Crosby County, 201 W. Aspen, Crosbyton, 806-675-2347.
- AgriLife Extension office for Potter County, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave., Amarillo, 806-373-0713.
- AgriLife Extension office for Hansford County, 223 Main St., Spearman, 806-659-4130.
Lunch will be provided by Capital Farm Credit at the Pampa site only. Brandon Dukes, Ph.D., will provide an update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service on Environmental Quality Incentives Program, EQIP, opportunities and the Conservation Reserve Program, CRP.
Wildfire conditions merit concern
“With early and late summer rainfall, the amount of grass grown has created opportunity for wildfire events this year and into 2024,” said Danny Nusser, AgriLife Extension program leader for the North Region, Amarillo. “We hope the moisture is abundant this winter, but dormant grasses provide fuel for pastures to be exposed to fire.”
Nusser said participants will receive information to prepare for a wildfire event and learn more about the players who respond and how the process works.
“This is more than a wildfire meeting with education on grazing management, prescribed burn, controlling brush in pastures, CRP and EQIP programs offered from NRCS, along with testimony from those who have experienced past fire events,” he said.
Wildfire preparation and response strategies discussed
The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. The following topics and speakers are on the agenda:
- Strategies for wildfire preparation utilizing grazing and fire, Laura Goodman, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University state range Extension specialist, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
- Effects of wildfires on rangeland and how to manage pastures post fire, Adam Isaacs, Hemphill County rancher.
- Brush management impact on fire prevention, Jason Abraham, rancher, owner and founder of Brush Bullet, Canadian.
The program will conclude with a panel discussion at 1 p.m. on “Preparing for the Response and Understanding Roles.” Panelists will include ranchers, county officials, Texas A&M Forest Service experts, fire chiefs, emergency management coordinators and volunteers.
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