The Bastrop Fires: Assessing the long-term impacts
Since the devastating fires in Bastrop County in September we have been involved in several fire-related projects in the Bastrop area. The fires devastated large areas of Bastrop County, and left more than 1,500 people homeless.
The effects of the Bastrop fires have been considerable. The pine woods, for which the area is well known, have been damaged severely by the intense heat of the flames. Survivability is not certain with respect to the affected areas.
The Bastrop pine trees are serotinous (naturally fire resistant), and rely on infrequent fires to clear competition and open cones for regeneration. This is a natural element of the pine forest, and necessary for the long-term health of the forest eco-system.
