The Lampasas County Farm Bureau supports the efforts of the Lampasas County Prescribed Burn Association, which was formed to ensure that fire will remain a safe land management tool for local property owners.

Our forefathers found a sea of tall growing grasses when they came to Central Texas. Live oaks, Texas oaks, pecan and elm trees were the predominant trees found in the area, and these were found along the streams.

When settlers moved in, they brought their livestock, built homes, constructed fences and controlled the fires.

Prior to the settlers' arrival, fires had been started by lightning strikes, camp fires and the Indians in an attempt to control buffalo herds. Fires would burn for many miles until they came to a natural barrier or rain would put them out.

These fires controlled grass growth, brush invasion and the herding effects of the buffalo, deer and other foraging animals.

Because of these effects, the sea of grass developed. Grass cover controlled erosion and allowed the rains to soak into the ground.

When our forefathers arrived, they found beautiful, clear streams full of fish and springs to supply their water needs throughout the year.

Thousands of acres of brush and other invading plants have replaced the sea of grass because of man's land management.

Prescribed burns have proven to be a safe and low-cost means of brush control and natural resources management.

Henry Stoneham is a retired Soil Conservation Service district conservationist.