CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Typically we think of firefighters as the people who extinguish fires, but on Wednesday they were actually starting one.
It was part of a prescribed burn by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Every couple of years, Texas Parks and Wildlife determines which land needs to be burned in order to get rid of non-native species. The flames allow room for native species to grow and prevent future wildfires.
"It's just a part of nature and it's the most effective and efficient way to help restore prairie land," said Scotty Taylor, superintendent of Mustang Island Park.
Trained officials plan the prescribed burns for weeks in advance.
"Wind speed, wind direction, because we're really concerned about where our smoke is gonna go, how high our lifting height is, fuel loading and fuel moisture are calculated into that, right down to how much equipment and people we need," said Greg Pleasant, a regional firefighter with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Pleasant said in the blink of an eye, weather can change which could cancel the burn. On Wednesday however, he said the conditions were just right; the wind was blowing the fire towards the bay-side of Mustang Island.
"We're looking at forecast for wind, the relative humidity, everything that will contribute to a fire," Taylor said.
While the high flames and smoke may look threatening, these officials said it's all for the land's sake and they work hard to assure local communities are not affected.
"Great tools for managing natural resources and actually winding up with a better habitat as well as protecting for future wildfires," Taylor said.
Luckily, the crews have the bay to back up the prescribed burn, otherwise, Pleasant said they would need more firefighters on the scene.
Fire crews ask that you drive safely on Mustang Island as they conduct the burns. They expect to have another burn on Thursday morning.