USDA FOREST SERVICE NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 2, 2011
Contact: Denise Rains (850)523-8500
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Local residents and forest
visitors may see some smoke in the air in the near future when the U.S.
Forest Service starts its prescribed fire season for 2012.
Approximately 100,000 acres in the Apalachicola National
Forest are planned for prescribed fire to help prevent wildfires and
promote a healthy forest.
Plants and animals native to the longleaf pine
habitats in the Apalachicola National Forest depend on natural fire
cycles, which are mimicked through the use of prescribed fires to
balance habitat and food sources. Prescribed burning is
also one of the most effective land management tools used in preventing
the outbreak and spread of wildfires.
Pre-planned prescribed burns are carefully analyzed
and conducted under specific weather conditions. Specific calendar
dates for burn activities are fluid because only when conditions are
right can prescribed burns achieve desired results.
According to Steve Parrish, U.S. Forest Service
fire management officer for the Apalachicola National Forest, “The
decision to do a prescribed fire is made very close to the actual burn
time and dependent on having exactly the right weather
conditions. Factors such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed,
how the smoke will disperse and rainfall patterns are also taken into
consideration.”
Drivers and residents are reminded of the
possibility of unexpected shifting winds that could increase the risk of
smoke on the road during prescribed burns. Always proceed with caution
and please remember to reduce speed and turn headlights
on if visibility is affected by smoky conditions.
The National Forests in Florida is among those
leading the nation in prescribed fire. Prescribed burning is conducted
every three to five years in which approximately 100,000 – 175,000 acres
of national forest lands are burned annually
in the Ocala, Osceola and Apalachicola National Forests.
If you have questions regarding the prescribed fire
burning season, contact the Apalachicola National Forest Wakulla Ranger
District Office at (850) 926-3561.
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Notes to the Media:
v
Because controlled burning is dependent on
weather conditions, the decision to burn is made very close to the
actual burn time. Great care is taken to minimize smoke and ash, but
changing weather patterns can cause temporary
inconveniences. See attached map for areas planned for burning this
season. Prescribed burn information will be available to the public on
the National Forests in Florida Twitter Feed at https://twitter.com/#!/
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