Guest Column

As controlled burning starts, here's what you should know

By DON RUTHS
Published November 12, 2007

One of the most important forest management and wildfire prevention tools used by the Florida Division of Forestry is prescribed, or controlled, burning.

Our late summer and early fall precipitation amounts have provided all of us with a much overdue respite to our dry land and forest conditions, and we at the Withlacoochee Forestry Center are more comfortable with commencing our prescribed burn program. Many private contractors, certified by the division as prescribed burn managers, also increase their land clearing operations during this season.

We recognize the importance of keeping residents aware of this program and providing them with adequate information. We hope the following will help you better understand the why and how of the prescribed burn program and the disciplines we put in place to ensure the safety of both our county residents and our state forest wildlife.

As a forest land management tool, prescribed fire is used to restore and maintain fire-dependent ecosystems, enhance forest health, improve wildlife habitat, and prevent wildfire by reducing hazardous fuels. It is a closely controlled burning of vegetation based on a prescription that takes into consideration fuel type, fuel moisture, relative humidity, air temperature, wind speed, wind direction and other atmospheric conditions to ensure a safe and successful burn that minimizes any adverse impact on people.

All prescribed fires must meet set criteria to be authorized by the Florida Division of Forestry. These include: acquiring daily authorization by the local Division of Forestry, establishing fire breaks around the burn area and ensuring that sufficient personnel and fire suppression equipment are on site for controlling the fire. The fire must be controlled within the boundary of the authorized area and responsible persons must remain at the burn site to contain the fire. Daytime controlled-burn operations commence after 9 a.m. with fire spread contained within one hour after sunset. Night controlled burn operations are occasionally conducted to take advantage of higher relative humidity and light wind conditions. They can be conducted from one hour before sunset until 9 a.m.

Public concerns regarding smoke created by prescribed fire are a priority for the division. Wind direction predictions are tested before burning to ensure that the fire will not cause adverse air quality intrusions over urban areas or create visibility problems on roads. As a result of this careful planning, smoke from prescription burns presents fewer problems than that of a wildfire.

Because of Florida's history of lightning fires, our natural systems are adapted to fire and depend on periodic fire to remain healthy. Research shows that prescribed fire is a sound and responsible way to protect people and their homes and to ensure the ecological health of fire-affected landscapes. Studies show that the populations of many animal species, including bobwhite quail, turkey, scrub jay, Florida black bear, the gopher tortoise and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, increase in numbers after a regimented prescribed burn campaign because of the resulting improved habitat.

Many people have expressed concern about the safety of wild animals during prescribed fires. Most wild animals migrate to safety during the relatively slow-moving prescribed fires. Some animals take refuge by moving to unburned or previously burned areas. Small animals seek shelter under logs, in old trees, and in burrows like those of the gopher tortoise.

Although our burn plans must be flexible, we coordinate with the local county or city fire agencies before every burn to ensure they are aware of the burn location. If there is the slightest potential of smoke creating driving restrictions, we post smoke warning signs on the potentially affected road. We also remain sensitive to the potential of smoke irritation should Mother Nature decide to challenge us with a wind direction change.

We recognize that we must work together to forge long-term solutions as Florida's communities expand with increasing numbers bordering wildland regions. We must follow the best practice approaches to minimizing the risk of wildland fires to our communities and maintaining the health of our state forests and wildlife. When considering the devastating impact of uncontrolled wildfires, prescribed burning is a proven long-term solution to protecting our natural resources and Florida's residents.

Don Ruths is wild fire mitigation specialist and the public information officer at the Florida Division of Forestry's Withlacoochee Forestry Center. He can be reached at 352-754-6777 ext. 119 or at ruthsd@doacs.state.fl.us

[Last modified November 11, 2007, 18:59:44]