Houston Fire Department Wildland Division

Houston Fire Department Wildland Division Wildland Fire Coordinator Justin Huddleston represented HFD at the 2026 Texas Emergency Management Conference, presenting a workshop on utilizing prescribed fire for habitat management and wildfire risk reduction in urban natural areas.

The presentation highlighted HFD's ongoing collaboration with Houston Parks - HPARD to reduce wildfire risk in Houston's nature preserves through chainsaw teams and prescribed fire strategies.

"What we are doing in Houston is a model for urban fire departments across the country," Huddleston said. "Prescribed fire is not just a rural tool anymore and we are proving that."

This was the second time HFD has had the opportunity to present at a major emergency management conference, following a presentation at the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference in Orlando.

Great work representing Houston Fire on the big stage. Once again, HFD is setting the standard and leading the way!

Save the environment, and the economy, with prescribed burning, researchers say – Wildfire Today The environmental benefits of fighting bad fire with good fire have been documented for decades, but researchers are now working to show just how much economic good prescribed burning brings.

Prescribed fire is more than a land management tool — it can also support wildfire risk reduction in urban natural areas.

Tomorrow, join Kelli Ondracek from Houston Parks - HPARD and Justin Huddleston from Houston Fire Department in Room 202A at 10:30am.

You’ll learn how prescribed fire can support habitat management, reduce risk and strengthen preparedness in growing urban environments.

🚒 The 27th Annual Texas Interagency Wildfire Academy is officially underway in Conroe!

On May 5, 2026, TIWA kicked off at its new home—the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center—bringing together more than 300 firefighters from across Texas and the nation for top‑tier wildland fire training.

For over two decades, TIWA has been a cornerstone of wildfire preparedness in Texas, and this year’s academy continues that tradition with 20+ courses ranging from entry‑level wildland firefighting to advanced incident management. These nationally accredited, NWCG‑aligned classes help ensure our firefighters are ready to protect lives, property, and Texas’ natural resources.

Over the next week, we’ll be showcasing behind‑the‑scenes looks at several of these classes—so stay tuned!