Lake Okeechobee Prescribed Burn March 2

Moore Haven, FL– The Florida Forest Service in collaboration with South Florida Water Management District, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be conducting a prescribed burn on Friday, March 2, 2018, weather permitting. The prescribed burn will consist of approximately 7,000 acres of dried-out marsh on the rim of Lake Okeechobee between the Indian Prairie Canal north to the Pearce Canal. Access to the navigational trails through the marsh, may be limited temporarily during the burn for safety reasons.

“Prescribed burns play a critical role in enhancing the safety and effectiveness of wildfire response, reducing wildfire risk, and safeguarding people and property,” explained Forest Area Supervisor Joe deBree, Florida Forest Service. “In 2017, firefighters responded to seven wildfires on Lake Okeechobee that burned approximately 2,400 acres. Wildfires like these have the potential to threaten homes and lives, impede visibility on the highways and tie-up firefighting resources. However, under the right weather parameters with adequate equipment and resources, Friday’s organized prescribed burn can protect the public’s safety while improving ecosystem health.”

Prescribed burning around the shallow-water portions of Lake Okeechobee can improve the breeding and feeding grounds for fish, waterfowl, wading birds, the Everglades snail kite, and other wildlife populations. Fire removes the dead aquatic vegetation that would otherwise settle to the bottom of the lake and decompose, covering up the natural sandy bottom, making it difficult for new aquatic plants to grow. In addition, fire enables more sunlight to reach the lake bottom, allowing the spread of a more diverse mix of plants on the lake by thinning out fast-spreading cattails that block sunlight.

In order to minimize the smoke impact on nearby towns and roads, prescribed burns are conducted when weather conditions are suitable. The final decision to burn is made daily, after reviewing the Predicted Fire Weather Forecast.