Final-Fire Management of Florida and the Everglades

--History
ïDedicated in 1947
ï1950ís marked the beginning of fire management efforts aimed at controlling existing fires.
ïFires help shape the Everglades but too much can destroy it.

--Background on Prescribed Fires
ï1958, a study was performed to determine the role of fires in the Everglades.
ïThe study concluded that, to preserve certain ecosystems, fire management was needed.
ï1958 represented the first ever-prescribed fire in a national park.

--Objectives
ï"To reintroduce fire in a controlled manner to minimize damaging effects and perpetuate the fire-adapted pine forest community of the park. To maintain its biological diversity, fire is a necessary part of the Everglades national park."

Fire: An Ecosystem Management Tool

ïManagement-Ignited Prescribed Fire
ïFires started by trained personnel to reduce accumulated plant debris, control exotic plants, maintain habitat for natural species, and the different classes of plant communities across the landscapeÖinitiated only if fires can be contained to predetermined areas.

Prescribed Natural Fires
ïFires started by lightning that are managed in a remote area within the park.
vFire management personnel closely monitor the weather, vege3tation, soil moisture, and water levels to allow for a safe, normal, burn.

Effects of Fires on the Evergladesí Ecosystem

--Pinelands
ïPines and many other plants thrive in sunny areas of the Everglades. Fires destroy hammock species that would otherwise take over with their dense canopies.

--Prairies
ïMangroves outline the West Coast of the Everglades with coastal prairies intertwined within them. Fires usually start in the prairies and are permitted to burn because there is no threat to human life.

--Hammocks
ïHammocks provide self-preservation around the parameter in the form of a moat-like depression created by eroded limestone.
ïHumidity and high levels of moisture in the soil also provide self preservation.

Various Uses & Classifications of Management Equipment

--Vehicles
ïClassified according to size and capability. "Hummers" are frequently used and are classified as a "Type 6 Wildland Fire Engine."

--Helicopters
ïUsed to ignite fires
ïApril 1997Ö Helicopters ignited prescribed fires using a machine mounted in the helicopter that drops Ping-Pong sized balls that ignite once they hit the ground through a chemical reaction.

--Other Measures
ïVast amounts of wilderness enable natural fires to burn without interaction from Everglade Fire Management Personnel. For instance, in August 1997, 1000 acres burned within a three-day period.

Some Considerations

ïSmoke is always a management consideration and can be minimized, however it may limit visibility on roads and threaten public safety if weather conditions change.

Why Is Fire A Good Thing?

ïWithout managed fires, diversity would face extinction.
ïFires give plants nutrients where previously unavailable thus promoting new growth and improving wildlife and habitat.
ïFire is an integral part of the Everglades and is considered to be an ally rather than an enemy.

Recent Fires In Florida and The Everglades National Park

--April 14, 1999
ïSince January 1999, 22,081 wildfires have occurred, many of which were set by carelessness.
ïCigarette smokers throw their butts out the window (Florida turnpike effected mostly).

--April 16, 1999 (Port ST. Lucie)
ïMore than two dozen homes went up into flames. And fire got closer to 200 more, heading in three directions, covering 1,500 acres by dusk.
ïOfficials expected to put fires out by Wednesday but the fire whipped back up into full strength with the help of gusty winds.
ïIn the process, firefighters drew water from canals already depleted by a drought that left Florida in a state of emergency.
ïTwo fires scorched Osceola County.
ïWinds also caused evacuations of residents in Polk County and Collier County.
Aprilís drought made conditions ripe for a repeat of 1998ís fires that cooked 500,000 acres.

--April 19, 1999 (Miami Everglades)
ï90,000 acres of sawgrass burnt. Winds aided fires in FT. Lauderdaleís suburbs.
ïFires even jumped I-75Ö
ïFires may have been started by a catalytic converter on a vehicle traveling on U.S. 27.
ïEnvironmentalists not very concerned with Everglade fires because they feel fires are needed to clear decaying undergrowth and make way for new growth.

--April 20, 1999 (Fort Lauderdale)
ïSince the previous weekend, 155,000 acres of sawgrass consumed and 15,000 more were predicted.
ïNinety percent burned out and one hundred percent contained.
ïPosed no danger to Miccosukee Indians

--Miami Florida
ïFirefighters had hoped that the Miami canal would serve as a barrier, but the blaze jumped the canal and was heading for the Miccosukee Indians.
ïFirefighters set controlled blazes to help contain Everglades flames.
ïCaused dark skies to appear over Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
ïFire began in the Eastern Everglades.
ïLargest of the 2,515 fires in Florida this year

--In Floridaís Favor
ïHeat produced less vegetation to fuel fires.
ïWetter summer than previous year.
ïCold Pacific = fires in spring
ïWarm Pacific = rain in winter

----Bibliography

http://www.nps.gov/ever/

http://www.nps.gov/htdocs1/pub_aff/issues/fire.html

http://www.cnn.com/

Next Article
Previous Article
Return to Topic Menu

Here is a list of responses that have been posted to your discussion topic...

If you would like to post a response to this topic, fill out this form completely...

Visit the rest of the site!

It is 11:05:25 AM on Friday, May 16, 2008. Last Update: Thursday, January 2, 2003