FLORIDA — The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 400-acre prescribed burn on Thursday, Jan. 9, at Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area in Indian River County.
According to the district, carefully planned periodic prescribed burns on district lands enhance the land’s environmental quality and protect from destructive wildfires.
Prescribed fires burn off fuels that naturally build up over time, while managing the growth of woody shrubs.
Before conducting a burn, the district ensures weather conditions are conducive for managing the fire’s effects and reducing smoke impacts to residents and traffic.
The district said fire is nearly as important as rainfall and sunshine, providing benefits such as restoring and maintaining natural communities, reducing chances of destructive wildfires, perpetuating fire-adapted plants and animals, cycling nutrients, managing tree diseases and opening scenic vistas.
The Seminole County Fire Department is also conducting a prescribed burn Thursday at the Lake Proctor Wilderness Area.
The property will be closed to the public on Thursday, with plans to reopen on Friday.
The fire department asks residents not to call 911 to report smoke in the area, but to please call 911 to report thick columns of smoke or flames.