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 October through December on the Prairie Shell Creek Tract in Charlotte County.

Prairie Shell Creek is located at 3081 Duncan Road (U.S. Highway 17), Punta Gorda. Approximately 150 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 conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

Click here to see aerial footage from a prescribed fire in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve where District land management staff burned 320 acres.

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 October through December on the Deep Creek Preserve in DeSoto County.

Deep Creek Preserve is located at 10797 Peace River Street in Arcadia, east of State Road 769. 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 conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

Click here to see aerial footage from a prescribed fire in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve where District land management staff burned 320 acres.

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 October through December on the Starkey Wilderness 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 1,000 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 conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

Click here to see aerial footage from a prescribed fire in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve where District land management staff burned 320 acres.

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 October through December at Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Myakka River - Schewe Tract in Sarasota County.

Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Myakka River - Schewe Tract are located west of North Port, east of the Myakka River, and north and south of Interstate 75. 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 conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

Click here to see aerial footage from a prescribed fire in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve where District land management staff burned 320 acres.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has completed evaluations of District campgrounds after Hurricane Ian and the following properties will reopen Monday afternoon:

• Flying Eagle Preserve in Citrus County
• Green Swamp West Tract equestrian/primitive sites at Ashley Bay and Cumpressco equestrian/primitive sites in Pasco County. McNeil primitive campground will remain closed.
• Lake Panasoffkee in Sumter County
• Potts Preserve Dee River Road primitive and equestrian campgrounds in Citrus County. The river primitive and river backcountry sites at Hooty Point will remain closed.

The remaining campgrounds will remain closed until further notice. The Districted closed all District-managed lands in September in anticipation of flooding and other impacts due to Hurricane Ian.

All Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) offices will be open Friday, Sept. 30, as the District returns to normal operations after Hurricane Ian.

The District will lower the activation level of its Emergency Operations Center to a Level 3 at 8 a.m. Friday morning. Level 3 activation is a general state of monitoring during the hurricane season.

All Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) offices will be closed Wednesday, Sept. 28, and Thursday, Sept. 29, due to potential impacts from Hurricane Ian. The District will continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Ian to determine if future closings are necessary.

The District is monitoring storm forecasts associated with Hurricane Ian throughout its 16-county region. In response to recent heavy rainfall, District staff have been closely monitoring and operating water control structures. In anticipation of rainfall from Hurricane Ian, District staff continue to operate structures, lowering water levels where possible.

Information regarding District-related meeting cancellations will be provided to the media and made available on the District’s website at WaterMatters.org. As a reminder, you can find the latest information on Twitter.com/SWFWMD.