INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Residents will likely see smoke Wednesday from a 1,000-acre prescribed burn at a state park.
Authorities will scorch pine flatwoods at St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, according to Park Manager Dylan Gavagni. The burn will be held from 10 a.m. to sunset, Gavagni said.
Prescribed burns help to prevent uncontrollable wildfires by restoring healthy forests and natural communities, officials said. The burns also reduce undergrowth that builds up overtime.
Wednesday’s burn will be held in the northwest part of the park, park officials said. The park stretches from southern Brevard County to northern Indian River County.
Motorists will be able to see billows of smoke and flames west of southbound Interstate 95, officials said.
Burned lands experience an increase in native wildflowers, birds and other wildlife. Controlled burns are only done when weather conditions are favorable.
Those who want to conduct prescribed burns must first get authorization from Florida Forest Service. For more information on prescribed burns, visit the Southern Group of State Foresters website.