Prescribed Fire: The best defense is a good offense

Firefighter Conor Bertrand conducts prescribed fire operations during the Perocchi Prescribed Fire.

Michael Gue, South Florida Prescribed Fire Manager, NPS

South Florida Fire and Aviation (SFFA) is on the offensive in the fight against devastating wildfires. Through scientific design, strategic planning, and adaptive management, SFFA is conducting landscape level prescribed fire specifically designed to protect National Park Service (NPS) land, infrastructure, natural and cultural resources.

Throughout fiscal year 2023, SFFA implemented over 231,000 acres of fuels treatments across South Florida Parks and Preserve. These prescribed fires were aimed at reducing hazardous fuels, protecting federal infrastructure and structures on private in-holdings, and creating healthy, more resilient fire adapted habitats. Each prescribed fire is implemented under moderate conditions to create a mosaic burn pattern across the landscape.

Eight fuels treatments (seven prescribed fires and one mechanical treatment) in and around the northern part of Big Cypress National Preserve (North of I-75) were funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. SFFA transitioned from prescribed fire season into wildfire season when conditions became too hot and dry in mid-March.

Firefighter Jack Hyman evaluates the area he ignited prior to continuing with prescribed fire operations in South Florida.

Michael Gue, South Florida Prescribed Fire Manager, NPS

The Cypress Camp Trail wildfire, reported on April 4th, 2023, started under severity conditions which means the chance of a wildfire occurring was high. Weather conditions forged a quick fire spread to approximately 1,000 acres by the end of the first day. The next day, the fire grew to 4,500 acres with the head of the fire running into a previous prescribed fire. Immediately upon reaching the previously burned area, the head fire stopped. “On arrival, the fire was extremely active, with torching and spotting to the west, in front of the fire head. The fire quickly doubled in size, and it was apparent it would take significant resources or some other influence to contain the fire spread.” remembers Jeff Kemper, Big Cypress National Preserve Helicopter Squad Leader.

With the forward progression of the wildfire stopped by the prescribed fire, suppression personnel were able to focus on the northern and southern perimeters and engage the fire directly. “Without the Perocchi prescribed fire scar, we would not have had a safe anchor point, and would not have been able to construct line as safely or as quickly as we did with the small number of resources we had on the ground.” stated Josh Moore, Lead Crewmember.

NPS patrol vehicle drives along western side of the Cypress Camp Trail Wildfire where the head of the Cypress Camp Trail Wildfire hit the prescribed fire and progression was stopped.

Michael Gue, South Florida Prescribed Fire Manager, NPS

Four prescribed fires were essential in stopping the spread of the Cypress Camp Trail wildfire at 9,749 acres. Without these strategically planned treatments the fire would have grown exponentially not only in size, but also in cost, risk, and unknown consequences. Models indicate that fire likely would have continued burning north and southwest, through land with private structures and in-holdings, and across major transportation corridors. A significant number of additional resources would have been essential to stop the fire spread. 

The advancing wildfire was stopped where the Perocchi prescribed fires had occurred.

Michael Gue, South Florida Prescribed Fire Manager, NPS

SFFA prescribed fire strategy has been designed to work with partners to implement prescribed fire and fuels treatments across jurisdictional boundaries on a landscape level. When these treatments are conducted proactively, it greatly minimizes the cost and risk of reactive fire management under the most severe wildfire conditions.