1. Fire in Florida

2. Themes l The Natural Role of Fire in Florida l Two Kinds of Fire in Florida l Prescribed Fire l Protecting Florida Homes from Fire

3. The Natural Role of Fire in Florida

4. Florida’s Geography l Peninsula between two oceans l Subtropical l High rainfall l Lush vegetation l Dry seasons

5. Florida’s Ecosystems l Evolved with frequent fire l Vegetation returns quickly l Pine predominates l Many species are fire-adapted

6. Fire-Adapted Species l Red-cockaded woodpecker l Scrub jay l Gopher tortoise l Bobwhite l Pitcher plant l Sherman’s fox squirrel

7. Lightning strikes across U.S.

9. Fire Frequency in Florida Ecosystems Sand pine & oak scrub 10-50 years Longleaf pine sandhills 2-5 years Pine flatwoods 3-7 years

10. Forests of the Past

11. Benefits of Wildland Fire l Maintains native ecosystems l Improves wildlife habitat l Improves quality of new vegetation l Reduces some invasive plants l Increases soil fertility l Increases visibility

12. History of Fire in Florida l Frequent low-level fires l Open park-like forests l Sparse human settlement l Increasing human population l More obstacles to fire l Fire suppression and build up of fuels l Catastrophic wildfire 19th Century & Earlier20th Century

13. Two Kinds of Fire in Florida: Wildfire and Prescribed Fire

14. Wildfires are Costly to Fight

15. Prescribed Fires are Planned

16. Wildfires of 1998 l Severe drought l Years of fire suppression l High fuel loads l High winds and low humidity l 500,000 acres burned

17. 330 homes damaged or destroyed And over 100,000 people evacuated

18. Causes of Wildfire in Florida From 1992 to 1997

19. Vegetation Reduction Mechanical Treatment Grazing Herbicide Prescribed Fire

20. Prescribed Fire The Ecological Preference Mimics natural fire Increases soil fertility Clears some invasive vegetation Stunts growth of plants Improves wildlife habitat Reduces the threat of wildfire

21. Wildfire vs. Prescribed Fire l Uncontrolled l “Hot” l Potentially damaging l Expensive to contain l Controlled l “Cool” l Permitted only when conditions are safe l Prevents wildfire WildfirePrescribed Fire

22. Prescribed Fire

23. Planning for a Fire

24. Setting a Prescribed Fire

25. Prescribed Fire in Flatwoods

26. Technology for Smoke Planning

27. A Few Days After a Prescribed Fire

28. 3 Months After a Prescribed Fire

29. One Year After a Prescribed Fire

30. Prescribed Fires Cause Some Smoke

31. Perceptions about Prescribed Fire l Prevents wildfire l Mimics natural fire l Fertilizes soil l Reduces weeds l Improves habitat l Opens forests l Stresses and kills trees l Chars landscape l Harms wild animals l Escapes to other areas l Causes smoke- induced accidents Benefits Concerns

32. Protecting Florida Homes From Fire

33. Prepare for Wildfire: Look at the Neighborhood

34. Are You At Risk? Step 1: Assess nearby land use Step 2: Assess vegetation: Thick vegetation near house Dense shrubs under pine trees Vines climbing up trees Pine needles on the ground

35. Little or No Risk l Urban and suburban areas that border developed land l Moist oak forest l Broadleafed trees l Hammock forest

36. A High Fire Hazard

37. What can you do? Reduce risk! Work around your house to create defensible space Encourage prescribed fire on undeveloped lands Work with neighbors to create a fire-safe community

38. Defensible space saves houses

39. Create Defensible Space Enable fire fighting equipment to move to and around your home Isolate plant materials both vertically and horizontally

40. Reduce Vegetation l Remove vines that could carry fire to treetops l Thin shrubs into separate islands l Use mulch, but keep combustible mulch away from the house

41. Trim and Separate Trees l Trim lower branches of large trees up to 10 feet from the ground l Thin the trees to separate their crowns l Keep trees on the east and west sides of the house

42. Home Maintenance Keep roof free of pine needles Replace vinyl soffits with metal screen

43. Keep Environmental Practices l Use trees to shade the house l Use some types of mulch to keep soil moist l Use native plants that tolerate drought and provide wildlife food l Be smart; be prepared if you are at risk

44. Fire-Safe Community Create fire breaks Design natural areas to be burned Maintain access for equipment Have water available Work with neighboring landowners to reduce vegetation

45. Protect Your Home from Wildfire l Assess your risk l Create defensible space l Defend and educate your community l Support prescribed fire l Tolerate smoke from prescribed fire

46. Fire in Florida l Fire plays a natural role l Fire suppression leads to fuel build-up l Protect homes and communities from wildfire l Prescribed fire prevents wildfire l Prescribed fire benefits natural areas l Support prescribed fire, tolerate the smoke

48. This presentation was produced by the University of Florida with assistance from a grant from the Advisory Council on Environmental Education of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission