Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Project

Hill Country Fire Coalition of Texas collaborates with Team Rubicon, Texas A&M Forest Service, and local fire departments to complete their first Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Project.

What’s That Sound? Chainsaws, Voices, and Tractors?

On Saturday, January 18, 2025, in Alamo Springs, the buzz of chainsaws, the hum of tractors, and the chatter of teamwork filled the air. The Hill Country Fire Coalition (HCFC), in partnership with Team Rubicon, Texas A&M Forest Service, and local fire departments from Alamo Springs, Bergheim, Boerne, and Comfort, conducted our first-ever Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Project.

What Did We Do?

Our goal was clear: remove cedar and other hazardous vegetation along one mile of Walnut Road. Why Walnut Road? It’s one of the narrow roads in Alamo Springs that provides a single way in and out for residents. By clearing the 30-foot right-of-way on each side of the road, along with additional 20-feet where authorized by the private landowners, we’ve vastly enhanced access for fire apparatus to respond to emergencies and created a safer evacuation route for the community.

Why Cedar?

Cedar trees, common across the Texas Hill Country, are highly flammable and pose a significant wildfire risk. When ignited, they produce a “candle effect,” where flames shoot up through the tree canopy, creating crown fires. This behavior generates embers that the wind can carry far, sparking spot fires—similar to what we’ve seen recently in Southern California.

Kendall County shares many wildfire risk factors such as we've seen on TV in the fire-prone regions in California, including:

• Extreme drought conditions

• Challenging topography, such as box canyons and chimneys with homes perched above

• Narrow, one-way roads

These factors make it critical for private property owners to take an active role in reducing wildfire risks. By doing so, we can help firefighters respond safely, efficiently, and effectively—saving lives and property.

Coming Soon: Free Property Risk Evaluations

The HCFC is set to provide complimentary, confidential property risk assessments in the near future. A qualified mitigation specialist will conduct a visit to your home to evaluate wildfire risks, utilizing the Firewise USA® framework to assess three specific zones:

• Zone 0: Immediate Area (0–5 feet from your home)

  • Building materials used in your home’s construction

  • Landscaping near the home (e.g., use of combustible materials)

  • Storage of flammable items

  • Placement of outbuildings and propane tanks

• Zone 1: Intermediate Zone (5–30 feet from your home)

  • Fire-resilient plants and shrubs

  • Proper tree trimming and spacing

• Zone 2: Extended Zone (30–100 feet from your home)

  • Vegetation management to prevent fire spread

  • Clear and visible house numbers for emergency responders

Get Involved!

Nearly 95 percent of the Kendall County land base is private property. Wildfire doesn’t respect boundaries—it’s up to all of us to work together. Follow HCFC on Facebook and stay tuned here for tips, updates, and workshop schedules. When available, sign up for your property evaluation by using the calendar on this website or by emailing us at info@hcfcoftx.com. Join our community workshops to learn how to make your property safer.

Together, we can reduce wildfire risks, protect our communities, and ensure our firefighters can respond safely and save lives! Let’s do our part so they can do theirs—and return home safely when the fire is out.

Neighbors helping neighbors—because together, we can do more!