Mandatory cremation scheduled for today at the Houston Arboretum in Memorial Park

It starts at 10:00 a.m. and should end around 1:00 p.m. at the Arboretum, which is located near I-610 West Loop and Woodway Drive.

The Houston Fire Department and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department conducted another mandatory burn around this time last year.

Combustion mimics the natural fire cycle and serves to reduce fire hazards by clearing vegetation that has accumulated over the years.

The Houston Fire Department will coordinate with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to monitor air quality during mandated burns.

During the fire, local residents can see smoke in their area or on nearby streets. HFD is asking residents near the scene of the fire to refrain from calling 911.

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