The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is conducting a controlled burn at the Bahia Grande Unit near Port Isabel and Laguna Vista, the Brownsville Fire Department announced Monday afternoon. 

The prescribed fire, also known as a prescribed burn or controlled burn, refers to the controlled application of fire by a team of fire experts that helps restore health to ecosystems, according to the fire department. 

The prescribed fires helps surrounding communities by:

• •Safely reducing excessive amounts of brush, shrubs and trees
• •Encouraging the new growth of native vegetation
• •Maintaining the many plant and animal species whose habitats depend on periodic fire