N RANCHING
atural Resources
owners as a partner and resource to help with the plan- ning and implementation of conservation practices. To complete this goal, they have offi ces in almost every county to provide local assistance. “We know the passion and desire of landowners
who want to do the right thing and we are here to just lend a hand in being part of the process,” says Oates. One of the ways Texas NRCS recently helped lend a
hand was by developing the Texas NRCS Wildfi re Miti- gation Targeted Effort. Realizing the disastrous effect wildfi res continue to have on Texas rangelands, State Conservationist Salvador Salinas and a state technical advisory committee took action to mitigate the threat of wildfi re caused by the 2015 and 2016 spring rainfall. This strategic plan targeted 26 Texas counties that had increased amounts of volatile fuels and the capacity to implement mitigation practices. “We took steps to address the fi re risk and imple-
ment any conservation practices that would benefi t the targeted area,” Oates said. “We’ll take what worked and didn’t work from this program and carry that forward into 2017.” By recognizing the risks and ways to minimize the hazards, NRCS is working to fi nd solutions before the
problem grows worse. Rangeland and pasture acres with high fuel loads are highly susceptible to wildfi re and could mean disastrous losses for landowners. “We are trying to be proactive instead of reactive,”
says Oates. “If we can take a progressive approach to these types of situations, then that’s what we want to do.”
Neighbors helping neighbors Farmers and ranchers also have the opportunity
to be proactive in limiting their possibility for fi re danger. Simply looking for potential fi re dangers cur- rently on a ranch property is a good place to start. Oates recommends looking beyond the fenceline for potential problems. “The barbed wire doesn’t really mean anything,”
she says. “Look at the bigger picture when considering the risk of wildfi re.” Other things Oates recommends looking for are
vegetation type and possible road hazards, such as the ability for a cigarette, tire blowout or other situa- tion to start a fi re. She emphasizes the importance of looking at the land from a different perspective and seeking outside assistance to get that insight. While NRCS staff can provide assistance, neighbors and other
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