Question 1

What is prescribed fire and why do we need it?

Accepted Answer

Prescribed fire is a land management tool used to restore and maintain fire-dependent ecosystems, enhance forest health, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce the chances of dangerous, uncontrolled wildfire by decreasing hazardous fuels.

Fire promotes healthy ecosystems by clearing out competing vegetation, cycling nutrients into the soil, stimulating growth and seed production of fire-dependent plants, and providing food for wildlife.

One of the greatest benefits of prescribed fire is that it reduces “fuels” such as underbrush, branches, pine needles, leaves, and dead plant debris that build up on the forest floor over time. Reducing fuels every few years helps reduce the intensity, heat, and destructive force of a wildfire if one occurs.

Question 2

Who conducts prescribed fires on Hillsborough County-managed land?

Accepted Answer

Prescribed fires are carefully planned. Highly trained professional teams conduct the burns using a “prescription” that has been written specifically for the area to be burned.

Teams may include staff from Hillsborough County Conservation & Environmental Lands Management, Florida Forest Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida State Parks, professional contractors, and qualified volunteers, depending on the location of the prescribed fire and the requirements of the burn plan or prescription.

Question 3

How will I know when a prescribed fire is going to take place?

Accepted Answer

County staff will place roadside signs near a prescribed fire site on the day of the scheduled burn. Notices may be posted on social media for the affected communities. Check HCFLGov.net/RxFire for notices of current fires.

If you have questions or would like additional details about a prescribed burn near you, call (813) 672-7876.

You can sign up to receive prescribed fire notifications via email. We are working to implement a system that will allow you to receive notices by phone, email, or text message when a prescribed burn is taking place within a few miles of your home.

Changes in local weather conditions often require last-minute changes to the prescribed burning schedule.

Question 4

What happens to wildlife during a prescribed burn?

Accepted Answer

The safety of wildlife is always a concern during prescribed fires. Prescribed fire plans are prepared to account for wildlife safety, and prescribed fires are conducted to allow animals to seek 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.

Few animals are harmed by prescribed fire, especially during the growing season when the weather is warm and most animals are active. Ground nesting birds build new nests, and benefit from an increase of insects resulting from new plant growth after the fire.

Fast-moving, high-heat wildfires usually do not provide the same opportunity for wildlife to escape.

Question 5

How long does a prescribed fire last?

Accepted Answer

Most prescribed fires last only one day. However, it is sometimes beneficial to the environment to let a fire continue into the night or the next day if the area burning is secure, and the smoke will not negatively impact the community.

Question 6

How long does the smoke remain?

Accepted Answer

Concerns regarding smoke created by prescribed fire are a priority, especially for the residential areas surrounding many nature preserves in Hillsborough County. The prescribed burn teams take precautions to limit the amount of smoke produced by the fire. Some light smoke, haze and small flames may remain in the area of a prescribed fire for several days or longer.

Question 7

What precautions should I take if I live near an area to be burned?

Accepted Answer

Here are some tips to help you minimize impact to yourself and your home:

On the day of the burn, keep doors and windows closed to avoid smoke in your home
Do not hang laundry outdoors to dry, as items may become infused with the smell of smoke
If you have health issues that can be aggravated by smoke, such as asthma, allergies, or respiratory ailments, limit outdoor activity, or temporarily leave the area during and immediately after the burn

Question 8

Where can I go to see areas where prescribed fires have taken place?

Accepted Answer

A few of the nature preserves that have had frequent prescribed fires are:

Prescribed Fire & Burning

A natural process to ensure ecosystem health and reduce the risk of wildfire

Notifications

Prescribed burn FAQs

Additional resources

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