by Traci Weaver
Urban Wildland Interface Specialist
Texas Forest Service
When dry lightning sparked several wildfires in the Davis Mountains July 1, staff at the University of Texas McDonald Observatory knew, once again, the observatory may be threatened by more than smoke.
When
wildfire threatened the McDonald Observatory in far West Texas, officials
called the Texas Forest Service.
One fire in particular, called the three-points fire, burned more than 8,000 acres and came dangerously close to the observatory.
But the staff also knew they had worked diligently with the Texas Forest Service to reduce the threat of wildfires that could destroy not only the valuable telescopes and research equipment, but also the community that surrounds it.
“We encouraged the observatory managers to take a proactive approach, before the observatory was threatened by wildfires, like those occurring in the Davis Mountains in 2000 and 2001,” said Bill Davis, regional fire coordinator with the Texas Forest Service. “In just that one section of land, there are over $200 million in assets and more than 150 residents. We knew that for not a lot of money, they could add a whole lot of protection.”
The project, which took three years to complete, also afforded a unique
opportunity for the University of Texas to partner with Texas Forest Service.
“I think there’s a really close relationship between the University
of Texas and the Texas Forest Service,” said K. Russell Peterman, superintendent
of the McDonald Observatory. “This project is an example of good cooperation
between Texas A&M and the University of Texas.”
Peterman is a firm believer that the project was well worth the time and work committed to it. He said the main focus was reducing fuels that might spark wildfires—that is high grass, brush and trees—by thinning out trees, cutting low-hanging branches, mowing grass and removing brush, which will be an ongoing effort.
The Texas Forest Service also constructed a fire escape road because there was only one exit/entrance from the observatory. “We literally would have had no way off the mountain if a fire would have blocked the main road,” Peterman said. “That problem has now been solved.”
With its tours and stargazing events, McDonald Observatory is also a well-known tourist destination. On any given day, there could be thousands of people visiting the observatory. “This project makes complete sense from a public safety standpoint,” Peterman said.
To get a better handle on the values at risk, the Texas Forest Service used global information system mapping and worked with the McDonald Observatory Fire Department to conduct risk assessments on every structure.
Texas Forest Service officials developed a database showing the locations of every fire hydrant, the number of residents per structure and floor plans to help firefighters during a disaster.
“The database provides response times, evacuation plans––everything emergency responders would need,” Davis said. “Not only would this help during a wildfire, but structure fires or other emergencies as well.”
The observatory is home to the third-largest optical telescope in the world, the Hobby-Eberly Telescope. “Since the telescope will be used for a major dark energy experiment that will require more than $20 million in new science instruments, it is more important than ever to protect the huge investment that the University of Texas has in this facility,” he added.
Other observatories have also felt the effect of wildfires. In 2003, the Mount Stromlo Observatory in Australia lost five telescopes, workshops, eight staff homes and the observatory’s main dome to a wildfire.
“Stromlo really brought home the fact that we could lose our whole facility in a fire,” Peterman said.
The project has also led to a grant for new equipment for McDonald Observatory Volunteer Fire Department, which received a new brush truck, funded through the Texas Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The University of Texas has also approved funding for two paid safety and security positions at the observatory.
Their work has paid off in more than peace of mind. At the annual Board of Visitors banquet on July 30, the McDonald Observatory received national recognition by Firewise Communities/USA and the Texas Forest Service for their efforts in making the observatory and surrounding community more resistant to wildfires.
Texas Forest Service fire officials, on hand for the festivities, were surprised to receive their own award from University of Texas Provost Sheldon Ekland-Olson for their support of the Firewise project. More than 500 people attended the banquet and ceremony held at the observatory.
Photo courtesy of Marty Harris/McDonald Observatory.