THIS PAGE IS BEST DISPLAYED WITH A HTML5 BROWSER
We're tasked by the state with responding to wildfires. We study weather patterns, drought cycles and the status of vegetation across the state to predict when and where dangerous fire conditions may occur. Should a wildfire ignite, we maintain a statewide network of strategically-placed teams of firefighters and equipment so that we're able to respond quickly when the call comes.
Rural fire departments respond to 80 percent of wildfires in Texas - and they do it with shoestring budgets and almost entirely with volunteers. We help fire departments pay for needed training and equipment and help Texans learn how to prevent, prepare for and protect against wildfire.
With roughly 94 percent of forestland in Texas privately owned, the trees, forests—and the benefits they provide - rests in the hands of thousands of Texans. While keeping the entire state's forested landscape in mind, we inform and educate landowners on sustainable land management practices.
We work with communities to plant, care for and conserve trees. We empower local volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities. We are here to assist when disaster strikes with damage assessments, information, technical assistance and long-term recovery.
We analyze and monitor forests, landscapes and communities for susceptibility to health and wildfire risks. We take action with education, information, diagnosis and treatment. We know that any information we have is more powerful when we give it to you.
We can help quench your thirst for learning. Explore links to identify trees using their leaves and branches, create your own tree trails and experience Texas history from the perspective of a witness tree. Share activities in the classroom to open up a world of conservation for new generations.
Rural fire departments respond to 80 percent of the wildfires in Texas - and they do it with shoestring budgets and a staff often made up almost entirely of volunteers. Sometimes they need a little help. Our programs help fire departments pay for needed training and equipment. We also help communities and property owners learn to prevent, prepare for and protect against wildfire.
We work with communities to plant, care for and conserve trees where people live, work and play. We foster appreciation and stewardship of urban forests empowering local volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities. We are here to assist when disaster strikes. From damage assessment, to information and technical assistance, to long-term recovery - we help property owners and communities thrive.
Our experts research, analyze and carefully monitor forests, landscapes and communities for susceptibility to health and wildfire risks. We take action with education, information, diagnosis and treatment. We know that any information or knowledge we have is more powerful when we give it to you. As a state agency, our responsibility is share what we know.
If you have an unquenchable thirst for learning, we offer programs and information that you may either explore independently or share with a group. Learn about trees, forests, the benefits they provide and the challenges they face. Read stories about trees that are living witness to Texas history. Locate champion trees across the state. And bring activities into the classroom to open a world of conservation to a new generation.
-Forest Health
Forest Legacy
+Forest Restoration
+Forest Taxation
+Landowner Assistance
Manage Forests & Land
+Vegetation Management
+Water Resources & BMPs
+Wildlife Management
Windbreaks
Texas Forest Info
My Land Management Connector
+Prescribed Fires
Connect With a Forester
This list includes some common and less commonly found invasive species for this region, but is not all-compassing. Please visit texasinvasives.org to find additional species.
Siberian Elm: Ulmus pulmila. This elm is distinguished by its small, elliptical, smooth, singly-toothed leaves, that reach lengths of 0.8-2.6 inches. They are tapering or rounded at their asymmetrical base. The alternate leaves are dark green and smooth above, paler and nearly hairless beneath. Foliage is slightly pubescent when young. Flowers are greenish, lack petals, and occur in small drooping clusters of 2-5 blossoms. The winged fruits are about 1/2-inch-wide and hang in clusters.
Tree-of-Heaven: Ailanthus altissima. Originally from China; rapid growing tree to 80 feet tall; alternate, compound leaves, 10-40 leaflets with smooth margins on 1- to 3-foot stalks. Large terminal clusters of small yellowish-green flowers yield wing-shaped fruit on female trees. Forms thickets and dense stands.
Salt Cedar: Tamarix spp. Salt cedars are characterized by slender branches and gray-green foliage. The bark of young branches is smooth and reddish-brown. As the plants age, the bark becomes brownish-purple, ridged and furrowed. Leaves are scale-like, about 1/16 inch long and overlap each other along the stem. They are often encrusted with salt secretions. From March to September, large numbers of pink to white flowers appear in dense masses on 2-inch long spikes at branch tips.
Wildfires are unpredictable and there is no way to anticipate the severity with which they burn or the impact they will have to communities.
Find current wildfire activity, Texas fire potential, news and more.
A financial incentives program to provide funds to non-industrial, private, small-acreage landowners to conduct science-based, Carbon-Focused Forest (CFF) management practices.
Texans should stay prepared as extreme wildfire danger increases Extremely critical fire weather conditions are expected to be widespread in the Texas Panhandle tomorrow near Amarillo, Borger, Canadian, Childress, Lubbock, Pampa and Perryton.
Pioneering wildfire alert system tested during Texas Panhandle fires Thousands across the Texas Panhandle received wireless emergency alerts Feb. 26 and 27, warning of an eminent, dangerous wildfire on the landscape with the potential to expand.
As the largest wildfire in Texas history burns, Texas A&M Forest Service encourages caution as wildfire potential increases over the weekend The largest wildfire in Texas history is actively burning today. The Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County is burning a total of 1,075,000 acres across Texas and Oklahoma and is 3% contained.
The largest wildfire in Texas history is actively burning today. The Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County is burning a total of 1,075,000 acres across Texas and Oklahoma and is 3% contained.