PRESCRIBED BURN PLANNED FOR ST. SEBASTIAN RIVER PRESERVE STATE PARK

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 16, 2014

CONTACT: Dylan Gavagni, park manager, 321-508-4075

PRESCRIBED BURN PLANNED FOR ST. SEBASTIAN RIVER PRESERVE STATE PARK

-Visitors and residents likely to see smoke in the area this week-

SEBASTIAN – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park will conduct a prescribed burn on Tuesday, Dec. 16, weather permitting.  

The prescribed burn will consist of approximately 530 acres of pine Flatwoods, on the eastern boundary of I-95, directly north of the Indian River/Brevard County line. Prescribed fires are only conducted when weather parameters are suitable. The final decision to burn is made daily by the Florida Forest Service after reviewing the predicted fire weather forecast for that particular day and after issuing a burn authorization. 

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, click here. To learn more about prescribed burning, click here