The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting “controlled, prescribed burns” during August and September on the District’s Annuteliga Hammock and Weekiwachee Preserve.
The Annuteliga Hammock tract is located in Hernando County, near Royal Highlands and U.S. Hwy. 19. Approximately 100 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units.
The Weekiwachee Preserve is located in Hernando and Pasco counties. Controlled burns will be conducted on portions of the preserve located approximately one mile west of Spring Hill and approximately one mile south of Aripeka. Approximately 600 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units.
The scheduled, managed burns are a part of routine maintenance of lands managed by the District.
According to District Land Manager Kevin W. Love, burns are implemented to mimic natural fire cycles under a controlled situation. The object is to avoid uncontrolled wildfires and enhance the area’s natural conditions by maintaining the ecological and wildlife habitat values. Prescribed burns are only conducted when weather conditions allow the objectives to be met while minimizing impacts to the public.
Every effort will be made to ensure that smoke will not affect homes or highways. However, vehicle operators should exercise caution in case smoke does lead to reduced visibility on the area’s roads or highways.
The District owns and manages approximately 435,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands for water resource and natural systems protection.
For more information, please call the District at 352-796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4465.