COUNTY LIFE
Grant funds available for vegetative fuel breaks
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M Forest Service is now accepting grant applications from landowners in the high plains region of Texas who construct vegetative fuel breaks on their property.
The Vegetative Fuel Break Grant applications are open now through December 17, 2021, and could result in reimbursement to eligible recipients of up to $2,500 for the cost of trees, weed barriers, planting contractors, drip irrigation systems and other items associated with the creation of vegetative fuel breaks.
“This grant is intended to help protect communities in the high plains by reducing the risks of catastrophic wildfire events on both public and private lands through creating vegetative fuel breaks,” said Jake Gosschalk, Texas A&M Forest Service Program Specialist (Fuels).
Green vegetative fuel breaks are trees and shrubs that are systematically planted adjacent to fields, homesteads or feedlots as a barrier to reduce or redirect the wind. As a result, irrigated and maintained fuel breaks can impact wind-driven fire behavior that could allow time for residents or firefighters to evacuate before the fire impacts nearby homes or structures.
During the 2017 fire season, it was observed that a well-maintained and irrigated vegetative fuel break or homestead windbreak impacted wind-driven fire behavior and provided time for residents to evacuate.
Eligible fuel break projects must have a minimum of three rows of trees and span at least 400 feet in length. Additionally, a bare-ground strip and a short grass strip are required, which will greatly increase the potential benefits of the fuel break.
“When landowners create vegetative fuel breaks on their property, they will be much more prepared for fire season,” said Gosschalk. “Texas A&M Forest Service representatives are happy to answer any questions landowners have regarding the application process or how a vegetative fuel break can mitigate the risk of property damage caused by wildfires.”
All grant applicants will be notified of a decision by January 31, 2022. Texas A&M Forest Service does not complete the actual planting and building of the vegetative fuel break but will conduct an on-site assessment of the landowner’s property prior to the approval of an application. If an application is approved, Texas A&M Forest Service will then further discuss the project details with the recipient.
Interested landowners may visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/CommunitiesinAction/ for a copy of the application. Application packages must be mailed to the contact information listed below.
Texas A&M Forest Service
Mitigation & Prevention Department
6330 Hwy. 290 E Suite 115
Austin, TX 78723
In recognition of National Adoption Awareness Month this November, Texas Community Counseling and the Heart Gallery of Northwest Texas are partnering to bring resources to Montague County families.
The two organizations will host an adoption, foster care and kinship care resource fair on Nov. 14 at the United Presbyterian Church of Montague County Fellowship Hall, located at 300 W. Nelson St. in Bowie.
The resource fair will run from 10 a.m. to noon, bringing together local agencies and service providers to answer questions and share information about support available within the county.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
Members of the Montague County Historical Commission invite the community to join them on Nov. 14 for a Rolling Bus Tour.
This tour will cover the cemeteries in the south west corner of Montague County. You will have the opportunity to stroll through some of the cemeteries, others the bus will stop and Commission member Calvin Durham will tell the history of the cemetery.
The bus tour will meet at the Old Jail in Montague at 9 a.m. and return at approximately 3 p.m. The tour will include a sack lunch, a brochure of each cemetery visited and a book “This Soil will Grow Grapes” written by Melvin Fenoglio.
The cost of the tour is $20 for adults. There is no charge for children under 12. The commission members strive to preserve the history of the county and to share as much of it as possible with our citizens. You can RSVP by calling 940-841-2674 or 940-872-1007. Please leave a message with your name if there is no answer.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System at 1:20 p.m. on Nov. 17.
FEMA’s emergency alert system is a national public warning system made up of thousands of radio, TV, cable and satellite and wireline video providers. Through the EAS, the President can address the American people or share life-saving information with the public during a national emergency.
FEMA is required by law to conduct a nationwide test of the public alert and warning system at least once every three years. These tests allow FEMA to identify technical or operational issues before the system is needed during an actual emergency.
FEMA and the FCC are sharing the test date in advance because it is important the public understands what to expect on the day of the test.
At approximately 1:20 p.m. (Central time), on Nov. 17, all the electronics providers will interrupt normal programming to relay a test message.
This message will state: This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency management Agency, covering the United States from 1:20 to 1:50 p.m. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
When the test is concluded, normal programming will resume.
FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with stakeholders, including participating communications providers as well as federal, state, tribal and territorial agencies to prepare for and conduct the test.
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