OSPREY, FL (June 25, 2025) Big Waters Land Trust plans to conduct three prescribed fires this summer. The regional non-profit land trust hopes to burn 16 acres at their Tatum Sawgrass Scrub Preserve along with 45 acres at their Myakka Headwaters Preserve – both located in Manatee County near the Myakka River in Myakka City – plus 100 acres at their Pine Island Preserve, located in Lee County. Prescribed fire is the controlled application of fire by a team of certified fire experts under specific weather conditions. This land management technique provides the natural benefits of fire while maintaining the safety of the community. The burns will be conducted by a certified burn boss in coordination with the Pine Island Fire Control District and East Manatee Fire Rescue, respectively. All prescribed fires require a burn prescription and burn permit from the Florida Forest Service. They could take place as early as July 1, but the timing is entirely dependent on weather conditions.
Florida is the lightning strike capital of North America and contains many native species that have adapted to regular fires over the course of thousands of years. Historically, lightning-caused fires would burn freely across the landscape until they hit a natural barrier, such as a wetland or a river, vegetation too wet to burn, or an area that had limited plant material to fuel the fire. Many of our natural communities such as pine flatwoods, scrub, and dry prairies require a regular cycle of fire – typically every 1 to 3 years – to reduce the overgrowth of shrubs and trees; maintain an open understory; and stimulate the fresh growth of a diverse array of wildflowers, grasses, and fruit-bearing plants that provide food for wildlife and release nutrients and minerals into the soil.
“Unfortunately, since the late 1800s, a culture of fire suppression has dominated the United States because most people think of fire as being destructive,” notes Christine P. Johnson, president of Big Waters Land Trust. “But fire is a natural phenomenon and an integral force of nature! And by conducting prescribed burns, we help restore the natural cycles our native species depend upon to thrive, while at the same time decreasing our community’s wildfire risk.”
Fires, both human-made and natural, burn hotter in areas with excessive dead and dry plant material. They are also more difficult to put out, and spread more easily into the built environment. As Florida’s landscape is continually altered and urban development increases near natural areas, extreme fires fueled by built-up plant litter become increasingly devastating for wildlife, our homes, and our businesses. The solution is regular, low-intensity maintenance fires, using prescribed burning practices. By routinely burning land using prescribed fire, Big Waters Land Trust and other land management organizations help protect the community by decreasing wildfire risk while improving the habitat for native plants and animals.
In the days immediately before a prescribed burn, Big Waters Land Trust provides email notification to community members that have asked to be added to an email notification list. Prescribed fires are typically ignited at 10:00 am and finished by end of day. Passersby may see smoke and flames. Signage will be present on the road front during all permitted prescribed fires to provide notification that a prescribed fire is in progress. Isolated tree stumps or logs safely within the interior may smolder for one to two days following fire, and will be allowed to safely self-extinguish. Small amounts of smoke may persist for a day or two following fire.
To be added to our prescribed burn email notification list, or to ask questions, please contact Big Waters’ Land Stewardship Manager, Lee Amos, at l.amos@bwlt.org or 941.918.2100. Additional information about prescribed fire in Florida can be found on the Florida Forest Service website at fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Prescribed-Fire.
About Big Waters Land Trust
Big Waters protects land and water in Southwest Florida for the benefit of people and nature. Through strategic collaborations with individuals, groups, organizations, and government, they work to ensure all people have access to clean water, fresh air, nutritious food, abundant wildlife, beautiful natural areas to enjoy, and all the other physical and mental benefits nature provides. Their vital work strengthens Southwest Florida’s resiliency to storms and floods, enriches lives, and helps safeguard our community for generations to come. Learn more at bigwaterslandtrust.org.
