.JPG "The Tarrant Regional Water District plans to use fire to clear out underbrush in Eagle Mountain Park.")
The Tarrant Regional Water District plans to use fire to clear out underbrush in Eagle Mountain Park.
KELLEY CHINN
STAR-TELEGRAM/KELLEY CHINN
You may want to avoid Eagle Mountain Park the next few days.
The Tarrant Regional Water District is conducting a controlled burn on March 24 in an attempt to restore the park’s natural ecosystem and cut down on wildfire risk.
The district is also closing off roughly 100 acres on the southern edge of the park for a few days after the March 24 burn to make sure it’s safe for people to visit again.
“Fire is an essential component of healthy ecosystems,” said Brandon Martin, TRWD’s assistant emergency management coordinator, in a press release.
The prescribed burn will clear out underbrush to allow native plants to thrive, Martin said, adding that wildlife depends on those plants for food and shelter.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will supervise the burn along with Fort Worth’s Parks Department, and the Fort Worth and Eagle Mountain fire departments.
The Water District acquired the park in 2007 after then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced the state was selling the 400-acre untouched parcel.
The Star-Telegram’s editorial board helped lead a community effort to raise funds to buy and develop the park.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Harrison Mantas has covered Fort Worth city government, agencies and people since September 2021. He likes to live tweet city hall meetings, and help his fellow Fort Worthians figure out what’s going on.