Prescribed fire at Sand Lakes Restoration Area in Indian River County – SJRWMD

Prescribed fire at Sand Lakes Restoration Area in Indian River County

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Low, controlled flames burn through dry brush in a sandy flatwoods area, sending light smoke across the landscape under a partly cloudy sky during a prescribed fire to manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risk.

Prescribed fire applied in the Sand Lakes Restoration Area to reduce hazardous fuel loads, improve habitat conditions, and support the growth of native, fire-adapted vegetation.

Low, controlled flames burn through dry brush in a sandy flatwoods area, sending light smoke across the landscape under a partly cloudy sky during a prescribed fire to manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risk.
Prescribed fire applied in the Sand Lakes Restoration Area to reduce hazardous fuel loads, improve habitat conditions, and support the growth of native, fire-adapted vegetation.
The District is conducting a 71-acre prescribed fire at the Sand Lake Restoration Area in Indian River County today. The burn area is in the northeastern portion of the property, west of I-95. The objective of this prescribed fire is to support the ecological maintenance of fire-dependent natural communities and to reduce hazardous fuel loads, mitigating the risk of future wildfire.

Prescribed fire is the use of carefully planned fire purposefully set under stringent conditions to manage the fire’s effects. Before conducting a burn, the District ensures that wind and other weather conditions are correct for managing the fire and minimizing the impacts of smoke on residents and traffic.

Periodic prescribed fires on District lands enhance the land’s environmental quality and protect its neighbors from destructive wildfires, but not without the possibility of temporary nuisances, such as smoke and ash.

Prescribed fires help prevent wildfires by burning off fuels that naturally build over time, while also helping to manage the growth of woody shrubs.

In fire-dependent ecosystems, fire is nearly as important as rainfall and sunshine. The benefits of prescribed fire include restoring and maintaining natural communities, reducing chances of destructive wildfires, perpetuating fire-adapted plants and animals, cycling nutrients, managing tree diseases and opening scenic vistas.

Follow the District on social media to know when prescribed burns are taking place in your area. To learn more about the District’s prescribed burn program, visit the District online at www.sjrwmd.com/lands/management/prescribedfire or follow the conversation at #LoveYourLands #RxBurn #goodfire #sjrwmd.

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