everglades National Park Conducts Prescribed Burn June 25 2014 in East Everglades

Date: June 24, 2014
Contact: General Park Information:, 305-242-7700
Contact: Media contacts only: Linda Friar, 305-242-7714
Contact: Mary Plumb, 305-242-7017

HOMESTEAD, Florida: Everglades National Park will be conducting the East Everglades Unit 3 Prescribed Burn on Wednesday, June 25, beginning at 8:00 a.m. (weather permitting). The burn unit is located 3 miles northeast of Chekika, between southwest 136th Street and southwest 120th Street near the 8 ½ square mile area (Latitude/Longitude: 25° 38’ 33”/ -80° 32’ 04”). The planned burn area is approximately 479 acres in size. The Florida Forest Service and South Florida Water Management District will be assisting.  Personnel assigned include a Burn Boss, 2 Task Force Leaders, Firing Boss, Helicopter Manager, Helicopter Crewmembers, and a Fire Effects Monitor. Equipment will include 3 engines, 2 kubotas, 1 helicopter and a bombardier. (State resources will be determined the day of the burn).

Depending on weather patterns, smoke may be visible in the eastern portion of the park; however there should be no impact on roadways.  In the evening, residents of Homestead or south Kendall may see smoke and possibly some light ash from the fire. This is not unusual and should not cause concern.

Prescribed burns are an important part of resource management at Everglades National Park. The purposes of this prescribed burn are to reduce hazardous fuel along the park boundary and to burn exotic vegetation (melaleuca) that has been treated by herbicides. Ecosystem management objectives include breaking up the fuel continuity, maintaining habitat diversity and providing species refugia by creating a 50 to 95 percent mosaic pattern immediate post burn.

WHAT:    Everglades National Park conducts 479 acre prescribed burn. 

WHEN:    Depending on the weather, we will begin operations at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2014.

WHERE:  The burn unit is located 3 miles northeast of Chekika, between southwest 136th Street and southwest 120th Street near the 8 ½ square mile area (Latitude/Longitude: 25° 38’ 33”/ -80° 32’ 04”). 

Information on the fire management program at the park can be found on the park website athttps://www.nps.gov/ever/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm. Any questions on this burn can be routed to Everglades National Park at 305-242-7714.