Kerr County offers wildfire mitigation information online

Kerr County Emergency Management believes that the safety of local residents and their properties is paramount. That’s why it is now making available online key information on how everyone can minimize the possible destruction caused by wildfire.      

“The wildfires in California were at the forefront of the news, and the destruction they caused served as a grim reminder that it wouldn’t take much for us to be facing similar circumstances,” said Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator William B. “Dub” Thomas. “It was time for us to take more action toward educating our locals on how to take a good, hard look at their own risks and what they could do about minimizing them.”

Toward that aim, his department hosted Texas A&M Forest Service presenters in twin sessions on Jan. 23. The event was so popular, that another pair of sessions were then hosted Feb. 19.

“I’m pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm we saw during these seminars,” Thomas said. “I cannot thank our friends at the Texas Forest Service enough. The information they gave us was invaluable.”

Keeping that in mind and in response to the many requests he has received, Thomas decided to take the slides shown by TFS during the presentations and make them available to the public. They are accessible through the Kerr County Emergency Management page.

Those interested also may view the document directly HERE or by clicking the button on this page.

“I’m sure we will face hot, dry days ahead. There’s no time like now for all residents – those living in Kerrville or Ingram as well as those living in the far reaches of the county – to better prepare and lessen their vulnerabilities to blazes that can get out of control, travel across our land and leave devastation in their wakes,” Thomas said.

Dayziah Petruska, a Texas A&M Forest Service Wildland Urban Interface coordinator, interacts with residents gathered Feb. 19 at Union Church in Kerrville. Sponsored by Kerr County Emergency Management, the seminar covered information important for local residents to know when it comes to protecting themselves and their properties in the face of wildfire dangers. -- Photo by Lisa Walter, Director of Kerr County Public Relations