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1,700-acre prescribed burn conducted Wednesday at Sebastian River state park

Written by: June 19 2025
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PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

BREVARD COUNTY — Crews at St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park continued scanning the area for hotspots after a 1,700-acre prescribed burn carried out on Wednesday, state officials said. Motorists and residents across northern Indian River County spotted billows of smoke stretching skyward from the burn.

“The interior pockets are still burning, and staff are on-site monitoring the area,” said Alexandra Kuchta, communications director for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Crews at the park conducted the burn from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the northeast part of the park, said Nell Belue, communications coordinator for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The park stretches from southern Brevard County to northern Indian River County.

Park officials scorched mesic flatwoods with scattered cypress domes and depression marshes, Kuchta said.

Florida Forest Service authorized the burn. Indian River County was not under a burn ban as of Thursday, according to county officials.

Prescribed fires help reduce the risk of uncontrollable wildfires and support a balanced ecosystem by scorching of excess vegetation, officials said. The controlled burns are a vital land management tool for maintaining healthy, natural areas in Florida.

Photos by Joshua Kodis

 

 

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