As California battles devastating wildfires, Hillsborough County is taking preventive action through an extensive prescribed burn program that manages approximately 6,000 acres annually. The initiative is particularly crucial this year, with recent hurricanes leaving behind substantial vegetation that could fuel potential wildfires.

“If a wildfire encounters an area we’ve just burned, it naturally extinguishes due to lack of fuel,” explains Mike Jones, fire crew lead for the Hillsborough County Conservation & Environmental Lands Management Department (CELM). On Wednesday, his team conducted a controlled burn of 100 acres in the Wimauma and Balm areas, targeting dead vegetation like grasses and palmetto that could otherwise feed wildfires.

The prescribed burns serve multiple purposes beyond fire prevention. “Many shrubs and grasses actually require fire to release their seeds,” Jones notes. This natural process helps maintain healthy ecosystems while reducing wildfire risks.

CELM conducts 70-80 prescribed burns annually, contributing to Florida’s statewide total of approximately 2 million acres of managed burns. The frequency of burns depends on vegetation type, with some areas requiring treatment every three years. “Waiting 8-10 years between burns allows dangerous levels of fuel to accumulate, significantly increasing wildfire risk,” Jones adds.

Interested residents can learn more about this essential fire management practice at the upcoming “Prescribed Fire Fest” on Saturday, January 25th, at Edward Medard Conservation Park. The event will feature live burn demonstrations, children’s activities, and educational resources about fire management. Florida’s peak wildfire season runs from April through June.

For more information about the Prescribed Fire Fest, visit the Hillsborough County events page here: https://hcfl.gov/events/2025-prescribed-fire-fest

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(Image credit: WTSP)