Balcones Canyonlands NWR Hazardous Fuel Reduction 2014

High intensity wildfires are typically hard to suppress and cause damage to homes, businesses, and other resources of high value. These high intensity or catastrophic wildfires are also known to cause long-lasting negative effects to habitat utilized by the endangered Golden-Cheeked Warbler and Black-Capped Vireo. Protecting these critical habitats is one of the primary objectives of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. This grant opportunity will provide funding for Hazardous Fuel Reduction treatments aimed at mitigating the threat of catastrophic wildfires. This will be accomplished by creating defensible space through the reduction of surface-fuel loading, increasing canopy base height, and reducing canopy bulk density within the high risk areas adjacent to Federal and privately owned structures/improvements and critical endangered species habitat. This work requires the extensive use of hand crews utilizing a variety of mechanical methods including chainsaws, weed trimmers, pole saws, hand tools, chippers, leaf blowers, and mowers. Due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and the sensitivity of the treatment areas hand crews are best suited for the work needing to be accomplished.