The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) conducted a 107-acre prescribed fire at Starkey Wilderness Preserve yesterday. The burn was authorized by the Florida Forest Service based on predicted weather conditions.
The area burned had a large amount of dead trees from the 2017 wildfire in addition to hurricane debris. As a result this debris has taken longer to clean up than usual.
All available burn staff are at the property today mopping up any smoldering debris.
We apologize for the unexpected conditions that caused smoke and area school closures.
Prescribed fires such as this one are critical to help protect the community from the spread of uncontrolled wildfires like the ones recently experienced in California.
Subject
Nature & Land