Prescribed Burn in Southwest Escambia Sports Complex Jan. 14, 15

Escambia County's Natural Resources Conservation Division will conduct a prescribed burn in the Southwest Escambia Sports Complex between Wednesday, Jan. 14 and Thursday, Jan. 15.

The area for the proposed burn is located east of Bauer Road, north of Havburg Drive, and south of Lillian Highway and is approximately 29 acres. A Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager on staff will oversee the burn with assistance from the Florida Forest Service. All burn activities are weather dependent.

Fall and winter seasons are ideal times for prescribed burns, where land managers intentionally set small, low-intensity fires that mimic natural fires caused by lighting. Prescribed burns keep the understory open to allow grasses and other small plants to dominate the landscape. Ash keeps the soil fertile and encourages new plant growth in the spring. By reducing fuel loads and keeping the understory clear, land managers reduce the chances of a larger, more dangerous wildfire.

For more information about the Southwest Escambia Sports Complex and the proposed prescribed burn, please call 850-595-3496 or 850-494-7592.