Sarasota County to host Fire Fest on Saturday, Feb. 3

Annual event, to be held at T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve, educates public about importance of prescribed burns

This is a scene from a past Fire Fest. Image courtesy Sarasota County

On Saturday, Feb. 3, Sarasota County’s Fire Fest once again will be held to educate and inform members of the community “about the importance of prescribed fire to the ecosystem,” Sarasota County staff has announced.

Throughout the event at the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve, staff with the Sarasota County’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources and Emergency Services departments “will demonstrate why the county schedules prescribed burns, the benefits of fire to native habitats and wildlife, and how the county manages wildfire,” a news release notes.

Sarasota County continues its commitment of environmental stewardship by sharing the value of prescribed burns in protecting public lands and surrounding areas through Fire Fest,” the release explains.

The free event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway in Venice, also will feature local exhibitors, games for children and light refreshments, the release adds.

At both 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., live burn demonstrations are planned, “conditions permitting,” the release says.

For more information or to learn about prescribed burns, call 311 or visit scgov.net