published: Saturday, August 30, 2008

Controlled burns scheduled for Jack Creek property

Special to the News-Sun

LAKE PLACID -- The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting "controlled prescribed burns" during September and October on the District's Jack Creek property in Highlands County.

The property, which is in the Leisure Lakes area, is approximately one mile west of U.S. 27, three miles south of S.R. 66 and six miles northwest of Lake Placid. The scheduled, managed burns are a part of routine maintenance of lands managed by the District. Approximately 250 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units.

According to District Land Manager Kevin W. Love, burns are implemented to mimic natural fire cycles under a controlled situation. The objective is to avoid uncontrolled wildfires and enhance the area's natural conditions by maintaining the ecological and wildlife habitat values. Prescribed burns are only conducted when weather conditions are optimum and impacts to the public are minimized.

Every effort will be made to ensure that smoke will not affect homes or highways. However, vehicle operators should exercise caution in case smoke does lead to reduced visibility.

on the area's roads or highways.

The District owns and manages approximately 350,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands for water resource and natural systems protection.

For more information, call the District at (352) 796-7211 or (800) 423-1478.