Sanibel task force details planned prescribed burns for 2021

The Sanibel Prescribed Fire Task Force recently outlined its plan for this year’s prescribed burn operations on the island, which consist of four areas in total, with two being a high priority.
On May 5, representatives for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and city’s Natural Resources Department announced the spring-summer plan for the targeted conservation lands during a joint public meeting held virtually this year via Zoom.
The areas for the refuge and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are the Bailey Tract, Botanical Site and Legion Curve, while the SCCF and city staff are focused on the Erick A. Lindblad Preserve.
Brian Pippin, fire operations for the Peninsular Florida and Caribbean Zone of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, opened the meeting by explaining to attendees what prescribed burning is.
“It’s fire that we apply in a knowledgeable manner to the landscape,” he said, adding that it is conducted under select weather conditions, including wind speed, wind direction, temperature and relative humidity, to accomplish predetermined well defined management objectives.
Pippin continued that prescribed burns are conducted to reduce hazardous fuels, which minimizes the threat of catastrophic wildfire and maintains public safety, plus the burns are beneficial to wildlife.
“We have these wild areas that are prone to wildfires,” he said, explaining that an absence of naturally occurring fires due to development and such has resulted in accumulations of hazardous fuels, which threatens the community and habitat. “We’re mimicking the natural role that fires would have played.”
“And it improves the wildlife habitat,” Pippin added.
Refuge Supervisory Biologist Jeremy Conrad spoke next about how the island does not get the same natural fire effects it has received because the habitats have become fragmented. He showed the results of a burn conducted at the Botanical Site and the habitat restoration after two weeks and two months.
“You can see how green it is,” Conrad said of the last photo. “How fresh it is, how full it is.”
“One of the benefits is it restores that habitat,” he added of a prescribed burn.
Conrad and Pippin reported that of the three areas the refuge and USFWS are focused on this year, the Botanical Site poses the biggest threat and is the top priority in terms of planning a prescribed burn.
SCCF Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz, speaking for the SCCF and city, reported that the Lindblad Preserve has been growing since 2016 or 2017 and is a burn priority.
“We really want to get a fire moving through there,” he said.
When the conditions are favorable for a prescribed burn, the community will be notified in advance about the operation. Pippin reported that officials will monitor the situation and provide updates.
“We want very specific weather requirements,” he said of the necessary conditions.
Refuge Deputy Manager Erin Myers highlighted what the public should do on the day of a burn:
– Put away personal property, such as vehicles and outdoor furniture
– Close windows and use air conditioning
– Cover swimming pools
– Keep pets indoors
– Stay indoors to minimize the impacts or leave the island for the day
Those who are sensitive to smoke can ask to be added to an email list maintained by the city. To do so, contact Environmental Specialist Joel Caouette at 239-472-3700 or Joel.caouette@mysanibel.com.
“He will put you on a list and contact you before we burn,” Myers said.
Sanibel Natural Resources Director Holly Milbrandt also recommended that the public visit the city’s Website at https://www.mysanibel.com/ and sign up for the city announcements on the homepage.
“We use that as an important tool to help get information out,” she said.
Sanibel Fire and Rescue District Division Chief of Training Tim Barrett spoke about what residents can do to reduce the risk of wildfire around their home to help ensure its safety during a prescribed burn.
“Get a defensible space around your home,” he said, citing at least 5 feet but preferably 30 feet.
“Trim the branches that are going to overhang your porch, your home,” Barrett added.
The task force recommendations include:
– Trim dead palm fronds from trees.
– Trim tall grasses near the home.
– Prune large, leafy hardwood trees so the lowest branches are 6 feet to 10 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.
Unable to attend the meeting, the Lee County Mosquito Control District provided information for Myers to share. She reported that prescribed burns are also helpful for mosquito control as they help district treatments better reach their target sites and they help reduce the number of eggs produced.
As a result, the district can reduce the number of treatments that are needed.
For more information, call the Sanibel Natural Resources Department at 239-472-3700.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email