Sanibel Prescribed Fire Task Force to host prescribed burns meeting
During the spring-summer season, the Sanibel Prescribed Fire Task Force is planning prescribed burns on the following conservation lands:
– Legion Curve
– Sanibel-Captiva Road parcel
– Sanibel Gardens Preserve
– Frannie’s/Johnston tract
– North Center tract
An informational meeting for the public will be held on Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. in the Visitor & Education Center at the J.N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.
When forecasted conditions are favorable, the task force will issue further notification that a prescribed burn is imminent and identify the specific location of the burn. All fires must be authorized by the Florida Forest Service on the morning of the scheduled burn. A change in the forecast conditions may result in cancellation of the planned burn. A prescribed fire will not be conducted if the prescription conditions cannot be met prior to ignition.
A burn plan, or “prescription,” has been established for the priority areas within these conservation lands. The prescription details the required conditions that must exist in order for a prescribed burn to take place. These include environmental conditions such as soil moisture, fuel conditions and recent rainfall, as well as forecasted and actual weather conditions including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction. Following a predefined prescription allows fire management officers to establish the desired fire behavior – intensity, flame length, direction of fire spread and smoke. The prescription also identifies the number of qualified fire personnel needed to conduct the burn, as well as the types and number of equipment required to safely complete the burn.
During a prescribed burn operation, residents and visitors are encouraged to:
– Close windows
– Cover pools
– Move cars and furniture indoors
– Stay indoors to minimize the impacts from smoke
– Visit other areas of the Island away from the burn site
– Abide by all signs, road closures, and instructions about closed areas provided by law enforcement and fire personnel
To reduce the risk of wildfire around your home and to help ensure the safety of your home during a prescribed burn, the task force recommends that you:
– Trim dead palm fronds from trees
– Trim tall grasses near the home
– Prune large, leafy hardwood trees so the lowest branches are six to ten feet above the ground
– Do not store combustible materials such as gasoline containers, firewood, and building supplies under or around the home
– Keep mulch and other landscaping material well watered
For more information, call the Sanibel Natural Resources Department at 239-472-3700.