The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting "controlled, prescribed burns" during January and February on the District's Upper Hillsborough Preserve in Pasco and Polk counties.
The Upper Hillsborough Preserve is located approximately five miles east of Zephyrhills. 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 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 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 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 Upper Hillsborough Preserve is located approximately five miles east of Zephyrhills. 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 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 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 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.