Veterans serve community with fire mitigation work at Dana Peak Park
Veteran-led organization clears vegetation to protect Harker Heights neighborhood from wildfire risk
HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas (KWTX) - Dozens of military veterans spent Veterans Day clearing flammable vegetation at Dana Peak Park to protect a nearby neighborhood from wildfire risk.
The volunteers are part of Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization. Members traveled from across Texas for the week-long fire mitigation operation.
The sound of chainsaws echoed through the park as veterans worked to clear 30 feet of juniper vegetation along the border between the park and a residential area across the street.
Dan Reeder, an advanced chainsaw operator with Team Rubicon, said the work provides an opportunity to give back to the community.
“I’ve been very fortunate in life and I just want to have the opportunity to give back,” Reeder said. “I’m dirty, sweaty, but I actually really enjoy running these chainsaws and meeting folks and just helping out the community.”
Reeder said about 90% of house fires are caused by floating embers rather than the fire itself, making vegetation clearing crucial for fire prevention.
The fire mitigation efforts extend about a mile along the border of Dana Peak Park. The operation involves multiple agencies working together throughout the week.
Oscar Arauco, a 30-year Army veteran serving as incident commander, said Veterans Day provided the perfect opportunity for continued service.
“I can think of no better way to spend my time on Veteran’s Day than here with my fellow Grayshirts, many of whom are veterans, continuing to serve,” Arauco said.
Arauco said the mission allows veterans to continue the service they learned in uniform while helping their local community.
“This is where they choose to be. This is where they volunteer to be. This is where they choose to give their time to work with one another and continue to serve this fine community,” he said.
These veterans said protecting their neighbors is just another mission to accomplish.
The Army Corps of Engineers asks people to avoid the work zones at Dana Peak Park while the project continues and to use other access points around the lake.
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