The Austin Water Utility is planning a controlled burn of about seven acres within the Vireo Research Area, which sits adjacent to the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve some time between Oct. 19 and March 1, 2010.

“The purpose of this burn is two fold, one to manage habitat for the black-capped vireo, and then the second is to reduce fuels to make fire operations safer and more effective,” said Austin Water Utility fire management specialist Glen Gillman.

The Balcones Canyonlands Preservation Program calls for these burns on occasion to clear out dead brush and allow new growth to come back.

“[Black-capped vireos occupy things that are a low oak scrub, four to 10 feet tall and once it gets over that height, the bird no longer inhabits it,” Gillman said. “We’re putting out fires when the habitat grows beyond 10 or 12 feet. It is a way for us to get the habitat back down to the appropriate level.”

The large time frame exists because of the extremely specific conditions required to make the burn most effective. Once those conditions are met, Gillman said the burn would happen very quickly.

“It’s all spelled out in our plan; there is a specific prescription for wind direction and velocity,” he said. “There are a whole lot of different numbers we use when the fuels are in the appropriate condition.”

The utility has sent out a letter to all residents who may be affected by the burn, requesting that anyone with health conditions that could be exasperated by the smoke tell them ahead of time so that they can get warning immediately before the burn. Because of the short notice, the utility would not be able to send out another mailing to all residents.

Mayor Dave Claunch said West Lake Hills has offered use of its reverse 911 systems and will be contacting residents as soon as they get word it is happening.

“I just found out about it last week so we’re obviously concerned about the safety of our residents although it appears the city of Austin water utility has thought it through very carefully and will be taking the appropriate safety measures,” Claunch said.

Gillman said the utility plans to have ample staff on hand to insure the blaze is contained by actively igniting and extinguishing the edge of the area before beginning the prescribed burn. The Westlake Fire Department will not actively participate in the burn, but will be on alert if needed.

“Our part really is that if it gets out of control, we’re going to come and put it out,” said assistant chief Mike Elliott. “These guys with the Austin Water Utility, they are pretty good at these prescribed burns and we applaud their efforts as long as it doesn’t endanger our residents.”

This burn will act as a test to see if the management technique works well in the area, Gillman said.

“Really, it’s an opportunity for us to see how this management impacts both the resource and our neighboring communities,” he said.

Residents with concerns or health issues that could be impacted by smoke should contact Gillman at 972-1683 or glen.gillman@ci.austin.tx.us.