Florida Prescribed Burns and Why They are Important

The Southwest Florida Water Management District manages controlled burns on its lands. Which are carefully planned burns used to manage forests. These controlled fires reduce wildfire risks by reducing excess vegetation, improving wildlife habitats and promoting new plant growth. The District ensures safety and efficiency in these operations, balancing ecological benefits with public safety.

Fire in Florida

Fire is one of the dominant forces that shape Florida’s unique ecosystems. Historically, the region’s abundant lightning strikes naturally ignited fires, which then spread freely throughout the landscape. As a result, many ecosystems, from pine forests to wetlands, have adapted to frequent, low-intensity fires.

In these ecosystems, fire is important, as it helps ensure the natural structure in place. Fire supports local plants and animals, helping the entire ecosystem stay healthy and strong. Suppressing fire alters forest structure, causes species loss and allows dangerous fuel to accumulate.

Today, Florida conservation land managers use prescribed burns. This method mimics natural fires safely and efficiently. They rely on trained fire professionals and plan for the right weather to help achieve land management goals.

What is a Prescribed Burn?

A "prescribed burn" is a controlled fire set by trained professionals to meet specific management goals. A prescribed burn takes place in a predetermined area under carefully planned and forecasted weather conditions.

Before the burn, a trained burn manager creates a “burn prescription.” This document outlines the goals of the burn. It also lists the crew and equipment needed. Additionally, it includes acceptable weather conditions like wind speed, direction, temperature and humidity.

The burn prescription also accounts for the safety of the crew and the public. Burn managers choose days with good weather to reduce smoke effects on people, roads and nearby communities.


In Florida, the Florida Forest Service trains all of the state’s Certified Prescribed Burn Managers. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for authorizing all prescribed burns in the state.

Land managers at the Southwest Florida Water Management District are trained and certified as Prescribed Burn Managers. They conduct controlled burns in conservation areas to help improve natural systems and water quality. The District also uses prescribed burns to help reduce wildland fuel loading to minimize wildfire risks.

Benefits of Prescribed Burning

Prescribed burning is a cost-effective and efficient tool for land managers in Florida. It offers many benefits for people and the environment. It prepares areas for seeding or planting by clearing debris that can hinder tree replanting. While natural decay slowly returns nutrients to the soil, burning speeds up this process more effectively.

Wildfire Risk Reduction: Prescribed burns clear dangerous fuel buildup in overgrown areas, reducing the risk and severity of wildfires. This serves to protect the public and their property from the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Recreational Opportunities: Prescribed burning revitalizes natural systems, encourages the growth of desirable trees and wildflowers and keeps the landscape open and park-like. This enhances the aesthetic value of the land and makes it easier to access for recreational users such as hikers, hunters, bicyclists and wildlife viewers.

Ecosystem Maintenance: Many of Florida’s natural systems depend on periodic, low-intensity fires. Without fire, they will experience dramatic structural changes. For example, without fire, a sandhill ecosystem shifts from an open, grassy landscape to a dense, oak-choked area.

Certain important native plant species, such as wiregrass and longleaf pine trees, require fire to successfully complete their life cycles and spread. In the absence of fire, these species will be lost on the landscape.

Native Wildlife Protection: Prescribed burning is essential for the proper management of natural systems and many of our wildlife species benefit. Fire promotes healthy natural systems that can produce sufficient food for wildlife by stimulating new, more palatable vegetation growth and encouraging seed and fruit production.


Fire also maintains the habitat structure some species require in order to remain in the landscape. If fire is kept away for too long, some endangered species may vanish from their homes. This includes the Florida scrub-jay and the red-cockaded woodpecker.

Prescribed burns play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of Florida’s ecosystems. Through careful planning and execution by trained professionals, these controlled fires help reduce the risk of wildfires, enhance wildlife habitats and preserve the natural landscape that many species depend on for survival. 

By mimicking natural fire cycles, prescribed burns ensure that Florida’s unique environments continue to thrive, benefiting both nature and the community. As a critical land management tool, prescribed burns are essential to safeguarding Florida’s ecological future while also protecting public safety.