The Prescribed Burn Alliance of Texas (PBAT) (https://www.pbatexas.org/) announced the results of the 2024–2025 dormant season for prescribed fire. During this period, 18 Texas-based Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs), covering 175 counties, assisted private landowners in conducting 73 prescribed burns, safely treating approximately 25,000 acres across the state.
PBAs (Prescribed Burn Associations) are nonprofit organizations built on a neighbor-helping-neighbor model, where private landowners work together to safely apply prescribed fire as a land management tool on their own property. Prescribed fire is one of the most cost-effective methods available to meet a variety of land management goals. These include improving pasture health by increasing forage diversity and volume, as well as reducing woody plant encroachment from invasive species such as ash juniper, redberry cedar, and mesquite.
“This year’s prescribed fire season is a testament to the power of neighbors working together,” said Chuck Linton, President of the Prescribed Burn Alliance of Texas. “With no escapes and minimal spot fires, these burns show that prescribed fire can be used safely and effectively when done with proper planning and community support. We’re proud of the work these landowners and PBAs have accomplished, and we encourage more Texans to consider prescribed fire as a practical, affordable tool for managing their land.” For many landowners, prescribed fire is a turning point in reclaiming and restoring working lands.
“Before we started using prescribed fire, Ashe juniper was taking over our pastures and choking out the native grasses,” said Marcy Epperson a Hill Country rancher and member of her local Cinco PBA. “With the help of our neighbors and the burn association, we’ve been able to push back the brush, improve our grazing land, and even see an increase in our bobwhite quail and Rio Grande turkey populations. It’s made a huge difference—not just for the land, but for our way of life.” State-level partners have taken notice of the PBAs’ professionalism and effectiveness.
“I’ve had the opportunity to burn with several PBAs across Texas this past dormant season,” said David Brooke, Prescribed Burn Coordinator at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. “I’ve been consistently impressed by their level of planning, preparation, and execution. These are well-organized teams doing excellent work to manage fire safely and effectively.”
About PBAT:
The Prescribed Burn Alliance of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes the safe and effective use of prescribed fire through the development and support of Prescribed Burn Associations across the state. PBAT advocates for landowner rights, education, collaborative fire management, and community-based approaches to landscape stewardship.
For more information contact:
C.R. (Chuck) Linton
President
Prescribed Burn Alliance of Texas
774-478-6414
PBATpresident@gmail.com