The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is prohibiting campfires and other sources of open flames on District conservation lands in conjunction with numerous county burn bans and dry conditions.
Lack of rainfall this spring has made grasses and other light vegetation extremely dry and volatile, increasing the potential for wildfires. Burning is thereby prohibited on these District properties with camping until sufficient rains occur and county burn bans are lifted:
- Cypress Creek Preserve
- Deep Creek Preserve
- Flying Eagle Preserve
- Green Swamp East – Hampton Tract
- Green Swamp East Tract
- Green Swamp West Tract
- Lake Panasoffkee
- Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve
- Potts Preserve
- Serenova Tract
- Upper Hillsborough Preserve
In addition, the District is asking campers and other outdoor enthusiasts to take the following precautions when on District lands:
- Be careful with gas lanterns, gas stoves and anything that can be a source of ignition for a wildfire.
- All vehicles must stay on designated roadways or trails. Avoid driving vehicles on roads with tall, dead grass.
- Vehicle catalytic converters get very hot and can quickly ignite dry brush or other vegetation like pine needles or dead leaves. Avoid parking vehicles in areas of dead grass, brush or other vegetation. Park in areas with little or no vegetation or over low “green” vegetation.
- Dispose of smoking materials properly; do not toss them on the ground.
- Carry a shovel and fire extinguisher in your vehicle.
The District also asks that if people see a fire while on a District land, please call 911. For updates on District land restrictions, visit WaterMatters.org/Recreation.
The District owns and manages approximately 460,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands for water resource and natural systems protection.