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Press Release
SWFWMD aims to reduce risk of wildfires by scheduling prescribed fires in eight counties
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has announced the schedule for prescribed fires in the counties of Citrus, DeSoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Marion, Polk and Sarasota.
Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency last year. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns in eight counties beginning in August, 2018. Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:
- Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires
- Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants
- Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat
- Maintaining access for public recreation
The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year. Click here to learn more about why igniting prescribed burns now prepares lands for the next wildfire season.
Citrus County
SWFWMD will be conducting prescribed burns in August and September on Potts Preserve and the Two Mile Prairie Connector parcel in Citrus County.
Potts Preserve is located approximately two miles east of the City of Hernando and three and a half miles north-northeast of Inverness. The property is east and southeast of State Road 200 and north of Turner Camp Road and is bordered by the Withlacoochee River on the east. Approximately 600 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
The Two Mile Prairie Connector property is located approximately five miles north-northeast of the City of Hernando and seven miles southeast of Dunnellon. This parcel is located on State Road 200 approximately 350 yards southwest of the Lecanto Highway intersection. Approximately 200 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
Deep Creek Preserve is located in southwest DeSoto County, east of Kings Highway. Approximately 450 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
DeSoto County
SWFWMD will be conducting prescribed burns in August and September at Deep Creek Preserve in DeSoto County.
Deep Creek Preserve is located in southwest DeSoto County, east of Kings Highway. Approximately 450 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
Hernando County
SWFWMD will be conducting prescribed burns in August and September at Annuteliga Hammock and Weekiwachee Preserve in Hernando County.
Annuteliga Hammock is located east of U.S. Highway 19, north of Centralia Road and south of the county line. Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
Weekiwachee Preserve is located west of U.S. Highway 19 between Spring Hill and Hernando Beach. Approximately 100 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. Some trails may be temporarily closed during prescribed burn events.
Hillsborough County
SWFWMD will be conducting prescribed burns in August and September on the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (LHFDA) and the Chito Branch Reserve in Hillsborough County.
The LHFDA is located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S. Highway 301 and Morris Bridge Road near Thonotosassa. Chito Branch Reserve is located south of Boyette Road west of County Road 39 near Lithia. Approximately 500 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
Manatee County
SWFWMD will be conducting prescribed burns in August and September at the Edward W. Chance Reserve - Gilley Creek Tract (Gilley Creek) and Coker Prairie Tract in Manatee County.
Gilley Creek is located between State Road 62 and 64, east of County Road 675. Coker Prairie is located south of State Road 64. Both properties are southeast of Parrish. Approximately 200 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
Marion County
SWFWMD will be conducting prescribed burns in August and September at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County.
Halpata Tastanaki Preserve is located two miles east of Dunnellon and seven miles northeast of the City of Hernando and is bordered by County Road 484 on the north, State Road 200 on the southeast and the Withlacoochee River on the southwest. Approximately 1,000 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
Polk County
SWFWMD will be conducting prescribed burns in August and September on the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Hampton Tract in Polk County.
The Hampton Tract is located north of Rock Ridge Road, east of U.S. Highway 98, north of Lakeland. Approximately 2,100 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
Sarasota County
SWFWMD will be conducting prescribed burns in August and September at the Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and the Myakka River - Schewe Tract in Sarasota County.
Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and the Schewe Tract are located west of North Port, east of the Myakka River, north and south of Interstate 75. Approximately 1,300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
