Prescribed fire planned for Saturday at Pine Island Preserve cancelled
Update: The prescibed fire planned for Saturday in the Pine Island Preserve has been cancelled due to incorrect wind direction. The original press release announcing prescribed fire is below:
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The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast may perform a prescribed fire this Saturday, July 6, at the Pine Island Preserve at Matlacha Pass
7746 Stringfellow Road, across from Flamingo Bay, in St. James City.
The foundation will burn the pine flatwoods, toward the back of the property, with a west wind. This will blow smoke toward Matlacha Pass.
The foundation anticipates the burn will begin at 9 a.m.
Prescribed fires help reduce the chance of a catastrophic wildfire by reducing excessive amounts of brush, shrubs and trees and encourages the new growth of native vegetation.
There are numerous plant and animal species whose habitats depend on periodic fire.
Burns are conducted as part of land management for gopher tortoise, quail, and other wildlife.
Prescribed fires are typically ignited at 9 a.m. and finished by end of day. Passersby at the burn site may see smoke and flames. Signage will be present on the road front during all permitted prescribed fires, in order to provide notification that a prescribed fire is in progress.
Isolated tree stumps or logs safely within the interior may smolder for one to two days following fire, and will be allowed to safely self-extinguish. Small amounts of smoke may persist for a day or two following fire.
Prescribed fires are conducted by a certified burn boss, under a burn prescription and burn permit from the Florida Forest Service. The burn boss coordinates with the Pine Island Fire Department.
For more information on prescribed fire, please see the Florida Forest Service https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Prescribed-Fire
or Conservation Foundation’s video blog, Episode 31 – fire methods or 32-34 – Fire benefits.
For more information about Pine Island Preserve visit https://www.conservationfoundation.com/properties/pine-island-update/