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The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 54-acre prescribed burn on the River Styx tract of Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve in Alachua County, situated in the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin. The burn’s purpose is to reduce hazardous fuel loads and maintain fire-dependent natural communities.

The District is conducting a 291-acre prescribed fire on the north portion of Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park in Orange County, situated in the Middle St. Johns River Basin. Its purpose is to reduce hazardous fuel loads, improve habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker and maintain fire dependent natural communities.

While December is historically the second-driest month across the St. Johns River Water Management District, rainfall this past month was below-average and precipitation remained below normal in 17 of 18 counties. The drier conditions contributed to declining aquifer levels and varied surface water flows across the region.

The District is conducting multiple pile burns in the Horseshoe Point Tract of Murphy Creek Conservation Area in Putnam County, within the Lower St. Johns River Basin. The burns are intended to safely dispose of logging debris and prepare the area for reforestation.

The District is advancing a new, collaborative approach to help coastal communities restore and protect vital wetlands. Through interagency agreements with coastal local governments, the District aims to streamline the launch of restoration projects, reduce costs and deliver environmental benefits more efficiently.

The District is conducting a 230-acre prescribed fire on the northwestern portion of Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park in Orange County, situated in the Middle St. Johns River Basin. Its purpose is to reduce hazardous fuel loads, improve habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker and maintain fire dependent natural communities.