Full Notification

In September 2013, Copperas Branch Park was closed and used as construction staging area for the expansion of I-35E. Now that the expansion is complete, City crews are preparing the park for use by the public. Five years without maintenance has led to substantial overgrowth in this area. A prescribed burn is scheduled to take place between Monday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 21, 2018, weather permitting. The burn will take place on about 22 acres in the park.

The operations will be coordinated by City officials in partnership with neighboring fire department agencies. Conditions will be closely monitored as to not affect public health and safety. The public will see numerous fire department vehicles and smoke in the area and are asked to avoid the area for safety.

The prescribed burn is a part of wild land management designed to restore this natural resource with vital nutrients and reduce dangerous fire threats. These carefully applied fires are an important tool to help restore and maintain vital habitat for wildlife and plants.

This burn is part of numerous projects to restore the park to its beauty and re-open it to public access. The City of Highland Village is excited about the opportunity to return this wonderful resource back to the public.