The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us will be conducting "controlled, prescribed burns" during February and March on the District's Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County, including "Flatwoods Park(Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve Flatwoods Park)":/recreation/areas/lh-flatwoods.html and the "Oak Ridge Equestrian Area(Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve Oak Ridge Equestrian Area)":/recreation/areas/lh-oakridge.html.
The "Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve(Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve)":/recreation/areas/lowerhillsborough.html is located just east of I-75, near Thonotosassa and New Tampa. Approximately 700 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 conducted 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(Prescribed Fire - a Tool of Nature)":/publications/files/prescribed_fire.pdf are only conducted when weather conditions allow the objectives to be met while minimizing impacts to the public.
Recreationists should be aware that prescribed burns may be in progress during their visit and be prepared to yield to fire management vehicles and equipment. Recreationists should stay on designated trails only. Certain entrances and trails may be temporarily closed during burns.
The District owns and manages approximately 436,000 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.
The "Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve(Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve)":/recreation/areas/lowerhillsborough.html is located just east of I-75, near Thonotosassa and New Tampa. Approximately 700 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 conducted 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(Prescribed Fire - a Tool of Nature)":/publications/files/prescribed_fire.pdf are only conducted when weather conditions allow the objectives to be met while minimizing impacts to the public.
Recreationists should be aware that prescribed burns may be in progress during their visit and be prepared to yield to fire management vehicles and equipment. Recreationists should stay on designated trails only. Certain entrances and trails may be temporarily closed during burns.
The District owns and manages approximately 436,000 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.