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Prescribed Fire Season Begins on Apalachicola National Forest

September 25, 2009 - Residents and passersby may see some smoke in the air beginning Oct. 1 when the U.S. Forest Service starts its prescribed fire season of approximately 100,000 acres in the Apalachicola National Forest to prevent wildfires and promote a healthy forest for plants and animals.

"Prescribed fire plays an integral part in reducing fuels, improving all wildlife habitat, controlling competing vegetation, controlling disease and improving forage," said Lynne Howard, who directs the U.S. Forest Service's fire efforts for the National Forests in Florida.

Plants and animals native to the longleaf pine habitats in the Apalachicola national Forest depend on natural fire cycles, which are mimicked through the use of prescribed fires to balance habitat and food sources.

Prescribed burning is also one of the most effective land management tools used in preventing the outbreak and spread of wildfires.

Pre-planned prescribed burns are carefully analyzed and conducted under specific weather conditions. Specific calendar dates for burn activities are fluid because only when conditions are right can prescribed burns achieve desired results.

"Because prescribed fires depend on having the correct weather conditions, the decision to burn is made very close to the actual burn time," said Steve Parrish, U.S. Forest Service fire management officer. "Fire managers study variables such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, how smoke will disperse and rainfall patterns."

To begin the season, approximately 12,000 acres of the northeast portion of the forest is scheduled for burning.

Drivers and residents are reminded of the possibility of unexpected shifting winds that could increase the risk of smoke on the road during prescribed burns. Always proceed with caution and please remember to reduce speed and turn headlights on if visibility is affected by smoky conditions.

The National Forests in Florida is among those leading the nation in prescribed fire. Prescribed burning is conducted every three to five years in which approximately 100,000 - 175,000 acres of national forest lands are burned annually in the Ocala, Osceola and Apalachicola National Forests.

The public can contact the Apalachicola National Forest Wakulla Ranger District Office at (850) 926-3561 if there are questions about the prescribed burning season.

Apalachicola National Forest Prescribed Fire Map (pdf 160kb) »

The National Forests in Florida strives to minimize inconveniences during the prescribed fire season. The prescribed fire map shows areas on the Apalachicola National Forest that are scheduled to undergo prescribed burning throughout 2009 - 2010. Please note that prescribed fires depend on having the correct weather conditions, and the decision to burn is made very close to the actual burn time.

Notes to the Media:

• The U.S. Forest Service is arranging a pre-burn tour of the Apalachicola National Forest on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 8:30 a.m. Media representatives can RSVP no later than close of business on Tuesday, Sept. 29 if interested. Media can document the forest area's current understory condition and learn more about restoration efforts. This is a great opportunity to educate the audiences on keeping our national forests healthy.
• Because controlled burning is dependent on weather conditions, the decision to burn is made very close to the actual burn time. Great care is taken to minimize smoke and ash, but changing weather patterns can cause temporary inconveniences. Prescribed burn information will be available to the public on the National Forests in Florida Twitter Feed at www.twitter.com/NFinFlorida.