Tyndall to residents: Wildfires pose no threat

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates
  • Air Force News Agency
SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  As wildfires continue to burn much of Florida and on base, Tyndall Air Force Base officials are telling residents not to worry.

"No base assets are threatened by these fires," said Walt Walter, the base's Wildlands Fire Program manager.

Two active fires are burning on the base, but they are located away from any facilities and are contained by members of 325th Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources flight. These fires were not related to the large wildfires currently sweeping through the state. One was started by a lightning strike and the other by a drone launch.

"Tyndall's fire experts are among the top fire professionals in the country," said 1st Lt. Amanda Ferrell of the 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office. "Many Department of Forestry agents travel here from across the country to receive world-class training on the most current fire suppression and prescribed burning techniques."

These prescribed burning techniques are one reason the base is less threatened by wildfires. Prescribed burning allows professionally trained firefighters to intentionally burn a selected area. This "intentional" burn removes growth and shrubs that could fuel a wildfire started by arson, human carelessness or lightning strikes, Mr. Walter said.

"We have a very aggressive prescribed burn program to mitigate the effect of fires on the base," he said. "We've burned 85 percent of the base over the past two years."

This fact makes Tyndall AFB very fire unfriendly.

"Our fire danger is a lot lower than any other area in the state," Mr. Walter said.

The base's firefighters are helping their local, state and national counterparts by assisting wherever and however they can.

"Our #1 priority is to protect the base," Mr. Walter said. "Now we're using our assets to help the community as they need it."

Though the base is not threatened by wildfires, base officials are still urging residents to exercise caution when lighting fires outdoors.

"The fire danger is extremely high," Mr. Walter said. 

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