Fire Management Program

The South Texas Refuge Complex (STRC) Fire Management Program plays an important role in managing habitat and protecting neighboring communities.

The STRC Fire Program is one of the largest in Region 2 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The STRC fire crew suppresses an average of 250 fires a year and coordinates with nearly 40 local fire departments throughout deep South Texas. The STRC Program also manages a prescribed burning program which is not only an important tool in wildlife management, but an asset in the wildland urban interface (WUI) areas, as well. In the event of a wildfire, prescribed burning near WUI areas assists in protecting the homes and property of neighboring communities.

The STRC Fire Program consists of wildland fire engine crews staffed at four fire stations with the cities of Palmview and Rio Grande City, and on the Laguna Atascosa and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). The STRC Fire Program headquarters is located at the Santa Ana NWR.

For more information, contact the STRC Fire Management Program Dispatch at:
(956)784-7520 or (956)784-7608
Fax: (956)787-9369

FWS wildland firefighters using fire to manage for wildfire

Helpful links:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildland Fire Program
National Weather Service
National Interagency Coordination Center -- Fire Potential Outlook
Texas Interagency Coordination Center
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Fire Brochure