A veteran-led volunteer crew is spending the week at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch in Wise County, cutting back wildfire risk at the 2,500-acre camp northwest of Fort Worth.
More than two dozen volunteers with Team Rubicon began work Tuesday at the heavily wooded property, which serves youth programs year-round. The operation runs through Sunday, May 17.
The group is creating primary and secondary fuel breaks and improving emergency vehicle access across the ranch near Lake Bridgeport. All services are being provided free of charge.
Camp Ranger Chad Hay asked Team Rubicon for help after deciding the property could not manage the wildfire risk on its own. The nonprofit had also conducted disaster training operations at the ranch in 2022 and 2023, according to a press release.
“There’s just no way in the world we could spend time doing what these guys are going to do for us. It’s huge because if that did happen, it would save us, and we would be able to get equipment to it,” Hay said.
Volunteers, known within the organization as Greyshirts, are carrying out sawyer operations and removing vegetative debris to cut hazardous fuels and protect structures on the property.
A fuel break is a cleared line or strip where trees and vegetation have been removed or thinned, slowing or redirecting the path of a wildfire.
Team Rubicon volunteer and former first responder JD Brandon said the project also gives crews a place to train for later disaster deployments.
“After a hurricane, after a tornado, trees don’t act the way you’re looking at them now. The trees are going to be on their side; they’re going to be twisted up. So when we come in here in a controlled environment, it gives us the chance to get those skillsets down with the chainsaw,” Brandon said.
Tuesday’s work focused on unloading equipment and preparing saw kits. Crews are set to begin active clearing Wednesday and continue through the weekend.
Hay said the new fuel breaks would also create access roads for emergency vehicles if a fire starts on or near the ranch.
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