Motorists are likely to see smoke this week from two prescribed burns planned for a state park, authorities said.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will conduct the burns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park. The park stretches from southern Brevard County to northern Indian River County.
Officials will burn about 500 acres of pine flatwoods each day, Park Manager Dylan Gavagni said. The burns will be in the northern part of the park and visible to motorists on Interstate 95.
The prescribed burns help to prevent uncontrollable wildfires by reducing undergrowth that builds up over time and restoring the ecosystem, Gavagni said. Burned lands experience an increase in native wildflowers, birds and other wildlife.