Frisco's Wildland Firefighting Team to Oversee Prescribed Burns at Two City Parks

Prescribed Burns Promote Blackland Prairie Restoration

(December 18, 2025) The Frisco Fire Department's Wildland Firefighting Team will conduct prescribed burns at two city parks starting next month. The dates and times for the burns are not set yet. Firefighters need a five-day window to ensure weather conditions will safely support the operation, but burns are planned to happen at these locations:

• January - Frisco Commons Park, 8000 McKinney Rd. (wildflower meadow on the north side of the park) See map (PDF).
• February -- Grand Park, 5001 Cotton Gin Rd. (future nature center site located at the southeast corner, bordered by the railroad tracks and Stonebrook Parkway) See map (PDF).

Each prescribed burn, also known as a controlled burn, is expected to last approximately four hours once it starts. Firefighters will be onsite to monitor. Minimal smoke is expected.

"Prescribed burns protect our families, neighborhoods and natural spaces," said Kelly Kistner, Fire Marshal, Frisco Fire Department. "These carefully planned burns reduce excess vegetation and help prevent uncontrolled, dangerous wildfires. When we burn under the right conditions, we're safeguarding the community."

The Natural Resources Division of the Play Frisco - Parks and Recreation Department requested the prescribed burns to help restore the Blackland Prairie ecosystem. Once a burn is over, native plants may regenerate in as quickly as a week, depending on rainfall. Learn more at PlayFrisco.org/conservation.

"Prescribed burns are a cost-effective way to rejuvenate native plant communities, enhance wildlife habitat, and support overall biodiversity in our natural areas," said Shannon Coates, Director of Parks & Recreation. "These carefully managed burns also help protect and maintain water quality in Frisco's streams, ponds, and wetlands by reducing excessive overgrowth."

When specific burn dates and times are determined, the information will be posted to the Frisco Fire Department, Play Frisco, and City of Frisco social media accounts and to the News & Information section of FriscoTexas.gov.