Florida Forests & Fires

Florida Forests & Fires

Controlled burns of forests aggravate many people, but are needed in order to keep the forests healthy.  Prescribed fire is one of the most useful and cost effective tools forest managers have. Disposing of volatile brush greatly reduces the danger to houses and people when fires pop up.  Disease control of young pines, wildlife habitat improvement, range management, preservation of endangered species and maintenance of fire-dependent ecosystems improve overall health of the woods. Some popular species, such as long leaf pines, require a burn to reproduce. 

Last year, the Florida Forest Service (FFA) treated more than 246,000 acres of government owned forests with prescribed fires, the highest number ever reported by any state.  The FFA also oversees burn permits for the 1,600 plus certified prescribed burn managers who manage more than 2.3 million acres of land.  Annual prescribed burns are common.  Annually, 120,000 burn permits are issued for over 2 million acres.

FFA was awarded the Wildlife Mitigation Fire Service Leadership citation from the National Association of State Foresters, USDA Forest Service, and two other fire protection associations, for its performance in 2015. The award was revealed the last week of January 2016 during Prescribed Fire Awareness Week.

For detailed information about your first prescribed burn, read Steps to Getting an Authorization and then contact your local Florida Forest Service office.  Classes are available on line or in three day class room experiences. 

When you want to buy or sell timber land, or other acreage, please contact:

Henry Rogers, ALC, CCIM

Coldwell Banker Commercial Benchmark

904-421-8537 - direct, or 904-614-4828 - cell

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