Prescribed burns help prevent catastrophic wildfires. (Contributed Photo)

Fire plays a vital role in the ecology of East Texas, but it can also pose significant risks to homes, outbuildings, and landscapes. That’s why understanding firewise landscaping is essential for homeowners who want to protect their property while preserving the natural beauty of our region. The upcoming East Texas Fire and Nature Festival offers a perfect opportunity to learn more about the relationship between fire and our Pineywoods and Post Oak Savanna ecosystems.

The East Texas Fire and Nature Festival will take place on Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tyler Nature Center (11942 FM 848, Tyler, Texas). This free, family-friendly event is hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and other partners, including the Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and the USDA Forest Service.

The festival will feature hands-on activities, live fire equipment demonstrations, and even a prescribed fire demonstration (weather permitting). Experts from TPWD and the Smith County Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and share valuable insights on how to create a Firewise landscape that protects your home while enhancing the local ecosystem.

Firewise landscaping involves selecting plants and arranging them strategically to reduce the risk of fire spreading to your home. Key principles include:

Defensible Space: Maintain at least 30 feet of defensible space around your home, free of dry or overgrown vegetation.

Fire-Resistant Plants: Choose plants with high moisture content and low resin or oil content. Good options include asters, beautyberry, bluebonnets, liatris, phlox, and Turk’s cap.

Layered Vegetation: Avoid ladder fuels—plants or branches that allow fire to climb from the ground into tree canopies.

Safe Planting Zones: Use gravel, brick, or crushed granite near the house and avoid planting flammable plants directly against your home’s foundation.

The goal of firewise landscaping is to slow the spread of fire, limit the production of embers, and reduce the intensity of flames near your home. Even simple actions, such as pruning dead branches and raking leaves near the house, can significantly improve your home’s chances of surviving a wildfire.

The East Texas Fire and Nature Festival will offer activities for all ages, including:

Live fire equipment demonstration: Learn how professionals manage wildfires and conduct prescribed burns to prevent catastrophic fires.

Nature walks and educational talks: Explore the Pineywoods and learn about native plants and wildlife.

Kids’ activities: Fun and educational games and hands-on activities for younger visitors.

Exhibitor booths: Speak with experts from TPWD, the Texas A&M Forest Service, the USDA Forest Service, the Smith County Master Gardeners, and other organizations about fire safety, conservation, the benefits of prescribed fire, and firewise landscaping.

This event is a collaborative effort between more than a dozen state and local organizations, including the Texas Longleaf Team, Tall Timbers, the Great Plains Fire Science Exchange, and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas.

For more information about the East Texas Fire and Nature Festival, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website or contact Danielle Okay at danielle.okay@tpwd.texas.gov. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy a day in nature while learning how to protect your home and our beautiful East Texas landscape from the threat of wildfires.