Sunday, May 23, 2010

SWFWMD Schedules Controlled Burns for June/July

SWFWMD Schedules Controlled Burns for June/July
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Kevin Love
1-800-423-1476, ext. 4465

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 24, 2010

Controlled burns scheduled for Annutteliga Hammock and Weeki Wachee Preserve Properties

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting “controlled, prescribed burns” during June and July in two areas of Hernando County - the District’s Annutteliga Hammock property and the Weeki Wachee Preserve property..

The Annutteliga Hammock property is located in the Royal Highlands area of northwest Hernando County, just south of Citrus County’s Sugarmill Woods development. Approximately 555 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units.

The Weekiwachee Preserve property is located approximately one mile west of Spring Hill. Approximately 825 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units.

The scheduled, managed burns are a part of routine maintenance of lands managed by the District.

According to District Land Manager Kevin W. Love, burns are conducted to mimic natural fire cycles under a controlled situation. The object 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 allow the objectives to be met while minimizing impacts to the public.

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 436,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands for water resource and natural systems protection.

For more information, please call the District at (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4465.

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