Park to conduct Prescribed Burn Monday March 5, 2012

Date: March 4, 2012
Contact: General Information, 305-242-7700
Contact: Media Contact Linda Friar, 305-242-7714

Monday March 5, 2012 , Everglades National Park Fire and Aviation Division will conduct a prescribed fire burn in the East Everglades District of the park. General location of the fire is south of US 41/Tamiami Trail into park lands and East of the Shark Valley park entrance and Visitor Center and east of the L-67 canal. (Fire location - 25 42 36 N, 80 43 16 W).

In November 2011, park firefighters burned a large portion of this same area in a prescribed burn referred to as River of Grass NE fire near the Shark Valley entrance of the park when the water levels were high to assist with the heavy fuel loading in this area. The park has been monitoring this unit for the past few months, waiting for the water levels to drop in order to continue fuel reduction in the area. Conditions developed last week that brought water levels in this area to an optimum to burn remaining fuels in this area. Additionally, an anticipated north wind on Monday supports safe conditions for this operations. If weather conditions continue as predicted the park will implement this burn Monday March 5.

The public and community in the area should be aware that fire operations are set to begin at about 10:00 a.m. on Monday March 5 (weather permitting). The planned burn area is about 31,000 acres in size. (map attached) Current winds indicate that it is unlikely communicates along the eastern boundary of the Park will have impacts from smoke, though those in the area may see smoke.

Controlled burns are an important part of resource management at Everglades National Park. Information on the fire management program at the park can be found on the park website at http://www.nps.gov/ever/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.

Any questions on this burn can be routed to Everglades Fire Dispatch at [phone].