Travis County Parks plans to conduct a prescribed burn at Pace Bend Park between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. tomorrow, July 20. The prescribed burn will take approximately two to four hours to complete. Travis County Parks is conducting the burn in cooperation with personnel from Lake Travis Fire Rescue, Pflugerville Fire Department, the Wildflower Center, and the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The prescribed burn includes 51 acres of grasslands and woodlands and will help maintain these plant communities by removing invading shrubs, reducing the number of exotic species, and enhancing the health and diversity of the native plant community.
The fire can be completed with any wind direction; however, predicted southerly winds will carry the smoke to the north across Lake Travis and towards the communities to the north, specifically those areas west of Pace Bend Park. Some smoke impacts are expected, but they should be relatively light and of a short duration.
The park will remain open; however, some portions of the park, specifically the west side of the park from the Collier Boat Ramp south to the park entrance, will close for part of the week. In addition, the main park road and entrance are located immediately adjacent to the prescribed burn. The road is not expected to be closed, but some delays may occur.
Pace Bend Park is located at: 2805 Pace Bend Road North, Spicewood, TX 78669.
Media note: The prescribed burn is located adjacent to the main road, and in order to minimize impacts to traffic and provide for the safety of the park users and fire management staff, no media will be allowed on-site. There will not be a PIO or staff available for interviews. Please call the PIO (contact listed above), or check in at the park fee booth for additional information.
