PHOTO VIA ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
The St. Johns River Water Management District (Website) is now conducting a 680-acre prescribed burn on the northern portion of Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park, up from the 305-acre burn Orlando Shine reported on earlier this month.
The larger burn is meant to reduce hazardous fuel loads, improve habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker, and maintain fire-dependent natural communities within the 9,515-acre preserve in eastern Orange County. Crews will also burn the remaining portion of a management unit where a 300-acre wildfire broke out Monday night. The district says burning that area will help secure it and reduce the risk of further wildfire activity there in the future.
Portions of the preserve’s red loop trail will be temporarily closed for the duration of the burn and will reopen once it’s safe to do so.
Residents may notice smoke and ash in the area during the burn. The district recommends following its social media accounts for updates on prescribed burns in the area.
