Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns now through September on Weekiwachee Preserve.

The Weekiwachee Preserve is located west of U.S. Highway 19 between Spring Hill and Hernando Beach. Approximately 500 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. Some trails may be temporarily closed during prescribed burn events.

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
• Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants.
• Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.
• Maintaining access for public recreation.

The District recently began emailing and/or texting prescribed burn alerts directly to members of the public who sign up through the District’s website. The prescribed burn alerts explain where and when the burns will take place and how many acres will be burned. You can sign up to receive email and/or text alerts about scheduled prescribed burns in your region and learn more about the process of a prescribed burn by visiting WaterMatters.org/PrescribedBurns. 

The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 35,000 acres each year. 

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns now through September on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve.

The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S. Highway 301 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard near Thonotosassa. Approximately 750 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. 

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
• Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants.
• Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.
• Maintaining access for public recreation.

The District recently began emailing and/or texting prescribed burn alerts directly to members of the public who sign up through the District’s website. The prescribed burn alerts explain where and when the burns will take place and how many acres will be burned. You can sign up to receive email and/or text alerts about scheduled prescribed burns in your region and learn more about the process of a prescribed burn by visiting WaterMatters.org/PrescribedBurns. 

The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 35,000 acres each year. 

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns now through September on Starkey Wilderness Preserve, Conner Preserve, Upper Hillsborough Preserve and Cypress Creek Preserve.

Starkey Wilderness Preserve is located east of New Port Richey, west of the Suncoast Parkway, north of State Road 54 and south of State Road 52. Approximately 1000 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. 

Conner Preserve is located south of State Road 52 and west of Ehren Cutoff. Approximately 650 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Upper Hillsborough Preserve is located east of Zephyrhills, south of County Road 54 and east of Chancey Road. Approximately 400 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Cypress Creek Preserve is located east of Ehren Cutoff, one mile south of State Road 52. Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
• Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants.
• Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.
• Maintaining access for public recreation.

The District recently began emailing and/or texting prescribed burn alerts directly to members of the public who sign up through the District’s website. The prescribed burn alerts explain where and when the burns will take place and how many acres will be burned. You can sign up to receive email and/or text alerts about scheduled prescribed burns in your region and learn more about the process of a prescribed burn by visiting WaterMatters.org/PrescribedBurns. 

The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 35,000 acres each year. 

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns now through September at the Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve in Sarasota County.

Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve is located west of North Port, east of the Myakka River, and south of Interstate 75. Approximately 500 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. 

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
• Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants.
• Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.
• Maintaining access for public recreation.

The District recently began emailing and/or texting prescribed burn alerts directly to members of the public who sign up through the District’s website. The prescribed burn alerts explain where and when the burns will take place and how many acres will be burned. You can sign up to receive email and/or text alerts about scheduled prescribed burns in your region and learn more about the process of a prescribed burn by visiting WaterMatters.org/PrescribedBurns. 

The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 35,000 acres each year. 

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, June 24 at 9 a.m. at District Headquarters, located at 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville. 

To view the Governing Board meeting online, click on the live video stream link. The video stream link becomes active and the live video feed begins approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time. 

Public comment will be taken only at the meeting location. Public input for issues not listed on the published agenda will be heard shortly after the meeting begins.

The meeting agenda and materials are posted one week before the meeting and can be found online at WaterMatters.org by clicking on the “Meeting & Events Calendar.” 

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is gathering information to improve identification of flood prone areas in Marion County. 

The District will provide a virtual public comment period now through July 12 at WaterMatters.org/Floodplain for the public to view preliminary data for flood prone areas within the West Ocala Watershed. The website will present preliminary data for flood prone areas and the public will have the opportunity to submit comments.

After addressing the public comments, information will be finalized and presented to the District’s Governing Board for approval to use the data for regulatory purposes. This information is not currently being incorporated into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs); however, it may be used in future DFIRM updates. 

The information, which identifies areas prone to flooding, can be used by local governments for land use and zoning decisions, to help manage development in and around floodplains and wetlands, to reduce flood risks, to preserve land and water resources, and for emergency planning. It will also provide valuable information to the public for decisions about purchasing and protecting property.

For more information or to find out which watershed you live in, please visit WaterMatters.org/Floodplain or call (352) 415-0974.