The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting “controlled, prescribed burns” during the rest of March and April on the District’s Weekiwachee Preserve and the Annuteliga Hammock.
The Weekiwachee Preserve is approximately one mile west of Spring Hill. Approximately 300 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units.
The Annuteliga Hammock tract is approximately three miles south of Chassahowitzka. Approximately 800 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units.
The scheduled, controlled 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 optimum and impacts to the public are minimized.
Every effort will be made to assure 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.
To meet various water management needs, the District has acquired approximately 300,000 acres of environmentally sensitive and water resource related lands through the State’s Save Our Rivers, Florida Forever and Preservation 2000 programs.
For more information, please call the District at 352-796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4465.