Season Brings Increased Prescribed Burns To Westchase Area

Through the eighties Smokey the Bear's mantra "Only you can prevent forest fires" was engrained in everyone's mind from school children to adults watching the afternoon news.

But behind those messages was another truth -- forest fires can actually be useful.

Fire serves as a stimulant for growing certain plants, including native grasses in Florida, said Bill Carlisle, Environmental Specialist and Prescribed Burn Coordinator for Hillsborough County.

Hillsborough County actively performs prescribed burns at the county's parks to control invasive plants and prompt useful vegetation to grow.

And this time of year the prescribed burns are in overdrive, especially in Upper Tampa Bay Park, less than a mile away from the heart of Westchase. Since October there have been six prescribed burns taking place at the park, located at 8001 Double Branch Road.

One of the main reasons for the uptick in burns is the location of the park, Carlisle said.

"This time of the year is the only time we get the north winds," he said. "So it's the only time they can do any burning to keep the smoke off the houses and road. Smoke is our main thing that slows us down from burning year round."

The park is burned in segments to allow the animals to find other shelter.

In the 1800s Florida pioneers relied on natural fires to help with clearing land for wagons. A low intensity fire would go through that would keep the oaks in check, Carlisle said.

But in the last 75 years a lot of areas have been invaded by unwanted plants and weeds because of the lack of fire. Researchers aren't completely sure but it's likely that the fires were started by lightning striking the dry land, Carlisle said.

For the next couple months, the prescribed burns are likely to continue in the Upper Tampa Bay Park area. Residents are advised to take the following precautions:

• The day of the burn, keep doors and windows closed to avoid smoke in your home.
• Do not hang laundry out to dry, as it may smell of smoke.

• Cover your swimming pool to keep ash out of the water.

• If you have health concerns (asthma, allergies, respiratory problems, etc.), limit outdoor activity or temporarily leave the area.

To check upcoming prescribed burns in your area check the county's events calendar: http://tinyurl.com/6u2lekn