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BASTROP — Prescribed burns will resume in Bastrop County’s state parks for the first time since the 2022 Rolling Pines Fire, as officials from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department aim to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health.
Nathaniel Gold, superintendent of the Lost Pines State Parks Complex, briefed City Council last week about planned burns in Bastrop State Park and Buescher State Park. The operation marks the return of a critical but controversial land management tool—one that many blamed for sparking the 800-acre Rolling Pines blaze three years ago.
“The Lost Pines are a rare fire-dependent loblolly pine and post oak woodland unique to this part of Texas—and Bastrop State Park is one of the largest remnants of this ecosystem,” Gold said. “Fire in this ecosystem is an ecological necessity. The Lost Pines evolved with fire, and without it the ecosystem becomes unhealthy.”
Gold emphasized that the agency has overhauled its protocols since 2022, when a prescribed burn jumped containment and swept through Bastrop State Park. The fire took six days to contain and drew intense public scrutiny.
Following an investigation and town hall meeting, Texas Parks and Wildlife adopted all recommendations from investigations conducted by outside agencies, according to Gold.
“This was a commitment we made after the facilitated learning analysis and community feedback,” he said. “We took all of the recommendations very seriously.”
Prescribed burns use chemical igniters to light small, controlled fires in strategic areas, relying on dry underbrush as fuel, according to TPWD. The goal is to reduce flammable buildup, support native pine regeneration and deter invasive species.
Council members questioned weather-related risks—a key factor in the Rolling Pines Fire. Gold said wind direction, humidity and visibility will be strictly monitored, with protocols to prevent smoke from impacting nearby homes or highways.
“Public safety and firefighter safety will be our top priorities,” he added. “We will have highly trained crews from Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Texas A&M Forest Service, Bastrop Fire Department and Bastrop County ESD No. 2 partnering with us.”
Efforts will also focus on keeping nearby residents informed. Updates will be shared via social media, a dedicated webpage, neighborhood text alerts and signage at park entrances.
“This is making good on our commitment with the community,” Gold said. “We take community feedback very seriously— our intent is to have a safer and healthier forest for the future.”
Prescribed burns are scheduled to begin this fall and continue through winter.
A public meeting on the burn plan is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. June 23 at the Bastrop County Community Center, 15 American Legion Drive.
