Nearly 200 acres at the Cedar Hill State Park were burned during a prescribed burn on Thursday.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department had the help from 29 firefighters from Cedar Hill, Plano and Lewisville.
"It is fire. It is complicated," said Glen Gillman, state fire management specialist. "It is weather-dependent and so part of our planning is to make sure we troubleshoot any potential problems."
Using a mixture of diesel and gasoline, a controlled fire was set to land in the 1,826-acre park.
Fire officials said 180 acres of dried grass and underbrush were burned in the blaze.
The prescribed burn was done in part to improve the habitat for wildlife.
"In this area, fire was historically a common occurrence, so we're trying to reintroduce that because the plants and animals adapted to that," Gillman said.
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The burn will is also intended to prevent future wildfires.
"Part of the design is to burn the underbrush, the overgrowth, to help prevent wildfires settings or limit the chances, especially around the campgrounds," Plano Fire Capt. Mike Hardy said.
White smoke could be seen for miles. Nearby residents were notified prior to Thursday’s burn.
