Prescribed fire today at Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area in Clay County
Prescribed fire helps reduce the possibility of dangerous wildfire while enhancing land’s environmental quality.
Prescribed fire reduces the chance of wildfire on district lands.
PALATKA, Fla., Dec. 16, 2019 — The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting an 85-acre prescribed burn Monday at the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area in Clay County. The burn’s purpose is wildfire mitigation and reduction of hazardous fuels.
Prescribed fire is the use of carefully planned fire purposefully set under stringent conditions to manage the fire’s effects. Its benefits include restoring and maintaining natural communities, reducing chances of destructive wildfires, perpetuating fire-adapted plants and animals, cycling nutrients, controlling tree diseases, and opening scenic vistas. Prescribed fires help prevent wildfires by burning off fuels that naturally build up over time, while also helping to control the growth of woody shrubs.
Before conducting a burn, the district ensures wind and other weather conditions are correct for managing the fire and minimizing the impacts of smoke to residents and traffic.