PRESCRIBED BURN PLANNED FOR PORTION OF CROSS FLORIDA GREENWAY

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 16, 2014

CONTACT: Gayla Tinton 352.236.7143

PRESCRIBED BURN PLANNED FOR PORTION OF CROSS FLORIDA GREENWAY

~Visitors likely to see smoke in the area this week~

OCALA – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will conduct a prescribed burn on the Cross Florida Greenway today, weather permitting.

The prescribed burn will consist of nearly 212 acres and will occur approximately one-half mile south of the intersection of Buckman Lock Road and State Road 19.

The burn will be on Office of Greenways and Trails managed lands. Prescribed fires are only conducted when weather parameters are suitable. The final decision to burn is made daily, after reviewing the Predicted Fire Weather forecast for that particular day and after obtaining a burn authorization from the Florida Forest Service.

Prescribed burning mimics natural fire cycles to restore healthy forests and natural communities, reduce undergrowth that accumulates over time and decreases the potential for wildfire. Burned lands experience an increase in native wildflowers, birds and other wildlife.

For more information on Florida’s award-winning state parks, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org. To learn more about prescribed burning, visit www.goodfires.org.