LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting an 80-acre prescribed burn Wednesday at Lake Apopka North Shore in Lake County.

District officials say it should not impact any recreational activities on the property.

The burn, located near Ranch Road, helps prevent wildfires, incinerates naturally built-up fuels and manages the growth of shrubs.

Periodic prescribed fires help enhance the land’s environmental quality but come with temporary nuisances like smoke and ash.

Before conducting a burn, the district ensures that wind and other weather conditions are correct for managing the fire and minimizing the impacts of smoke to residents and traffic.

According to the district, fire is nearly as important as rainfall and sunshine in fire-dependent ecosystems. The benefits of prescribed fire include 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, officials said.

To learn more about the district’s prescribed burn program, visit the district online at www.sjrwmd.com/lands/management/prescribedfire.