Austin Parks conducting prescribed burn Monday at Lake Walter E. Long

The prescribed burn at Lake Walter E. Long is meant to restore woodlands and lower wildfire risks.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Parks and Recreation Department said it will conduct a prescribed burn Monday, Feb. 9, at Lake Walter E. Long.

Officials said the burn, carried out with the help of the Austin Fire Department and other agencies, will take place on the east side of the lake. The effort is intended to aid woodland restoration and reduce wildfire risks in an undeveloped portion of Walter E. Long Park.

The prescribed burn will not affect public access to the developed areas of the park on the south side of the lake. Smoke may be visible from the intersection of FM 973 and SH 130 and near Bloor Road.

Officials said crews are conducting a second day of prescribed ignitions in the area that began Jan. 15, 2026. If conditions do not produce the desired fire effects, crews will shift to pile burning in an adjacent area to the west. The burning will not affect public access to developed portions of the park.

Officials said they are aware of the current drought conditions but noted that local water supply data is “not accurate for predicting fire behavior.”

Officials noted that the Travis County burn ban exempts prescribed burns conducted under a state burn manager license.

For more information on prescribed burns, click here.