Fires planned in Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Schewe Tract this month through December
Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) points out in a news release. “That’s why we will be conducting prescribed burns [this month] through December at Myakka River-Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Myakka River-Schewe Tract in Sarasota County,” the release says
Myakka River-Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Myakka River-Schewe Tract are located west of North Port, east of the Myakka River, and north and south of Interstate 75, the release points out. “Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units,” the release adds.
Some major benefits of prescribed fire follow:
- Reduction of overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
- Promotion of the growth of new, diverse plants.
- “Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.
- “Maintaining access for public recreation.
“The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year,” the release adds.
Click here to see aerial footage from a prescribed fire in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, where District land management staff burned 320 acres, the release says.