The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns July through September at the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, which includes Green Swamp East Tract in Polk, Sumter and Lake counties, the Hampton Tract in Polk County and Green Swamp West Tract in Pasco County.
The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve is located north of U.S. Highway 98 along Highway 471 and Rock Ridge Road between Lakeland and Dade City. Approximately 10,751 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
Some primary benefits of prescribed fire include:
• Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires
• Promoting plant diversity
• Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat
• Maintaining access for public recreation
The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year. Click here to learn more about why igniting prescribed burns now prepares lands for the next wildfire season.