MEDIA ADVISORY
March 17, 2000
Controlled Burn Planned For Lake Jackson
TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, in coordination with the Leon County
Commission, Northwest Florida Water Management District, and the
Division of Forestry, have tentatively scheduled a controlled burn on
the dried bottom of Lake Jackson for Tuesday, March 21, depending on
weather conditions. Rain or strong winds may preclude this activity
and force it to be rescheduled for a later date when conditions are
more suitable. Division of Forestry will determine the correct
weather conditions and order the burn.
The burn is scheduled to take place in two phases:
First, along the area adjacent to Phipps Park; and second,
along the southwest portion of the lake bottom, southwest of
the lime sink, which is the greatest concern for public safety.
Controlled burns are done to simulate fires that
occur normally in nature, but are set intentionally so that the
breadth and intensity of these fires can be controlled. During drought
conditions, controlled burns are normally planned to lessen the
potential for uncontrolled wildfires. In addition, in the case of a
drawn-down lake, these fires are a form of ecosystem management in
that they remove organic nutrients that could potentially pollute the
lake when water levels return to normal.
-30-
2010 State of Florida