Input requested from residents in tornado-ravaged areas

Matt Broom, Associate Director of Public Services, wants your feedback!

If you reside in a tornado-ravaged area, Mr. Broom would like your thoughts on a proposed tornado cleanup plan. He invites affected villagers to share opinions on the POA conducting debris pile burns. To provide your feedback, you can reach Matt Broom at MBroom@hsvpoa.org. Please include your address and telephone number in the email.

Despite extensive, ongoing tornado cleanup efforts by loggers and POA staff, a significant amount of debris, including downed trees and root balls, remains.

Broom shared that last week, the Arkansas Forestry Commission visited and assessed the tornado-affected areas. Experienced foresters and staff evaluated the potential for conducting safe debris pile burns. The Forestry Commission officers provided invaluable advice and will offer guidelines on the optimal days to carry out debris pile burns in small sections. Conditions such as rainfall, temperature, and wind velocities will be carefully considered, focusing on the best times for the smoke to rise and disperse.

Debris pile burns can be used to safely facilitate and accelerate clean-up and encourage natural forest restoration

If undertaken, the debris pile burns will be meticulously planned and follow a detailed strategy that specifies the fire treatment area, appropriate weather conditions, and other critical details. A smoke management plan is also developed.

After a debris pile burn, the affected area will appear charred briefly, but new growth will soon emerge. Within six months to a year, the area will exhibit signs of natural recovery and enhanced forest health.

“Not all areas will be candidates for the burns, but many affected areas are wide open common property.” For safety, the burns will be fully monitored; If there are flames overnight, the sites will be manned.

What can residents expect if there is a debris pile burn?

To execute a debris pile burn, contractors will carefully condense the storm debris into big piles in areas away from homes. This will alleviate the necessity of hauling the debris several miles down the road to the Terlingua Pit, which is costly. A debris pile burn also has the added advantage of saving clean-up time.

A professional and experienced company specializing in conducting secure burns will be hired to execute the process. Broom stated, “We will burn as much as possible as long as residents are on board with the idea. We will begin far from homes and work our way into the populated areas.” Broom emphasized their cautious approach, starting with unpopulated areas to perfect the process and minimize smoke.

“We’ll start the fire early in the day and not feed the debris pile past the morning hours. We will let it burn down so that there will not be a lot of smoke at night. The foresters told us that nights are worse for smoke. During the day, it should dissipate more quickly.”

Broom says they may start early in 2025, if not sooner if all goes well with community input. If you reside in an area affected by the tornado, send Matt Broom an email at MBroom@hsvpoa.org and let him know what you think. Be sure to include your address and contact information. Thanks!

By Cheryl Dowden

Contact Information for Associate Director of Public Services Matt Broom

MBroom@hsvpoa.org