1. Fire in Florida’s Ecosystems A program of the Florida Division of Forestry Implemented by Pandion Systems For more information: www.fireinflorida.org Welcome to Presentation #3: Wildfire and Prescribed Fire

2. Fire in Florida’s Ecosystems Today’s Lesson: Wildfire and Prescribed Fire Fire in natural areas Prescribed FireWildfire

4. How would you define a wildfire? Look at the picture and describe what you see.

5. Wildfire can be a powerful and destructive force For example, in 1998, 506,000 acres were burned by wildfire in Florida.

6. Why is wildfire dangerous? 1. It is out of control

7. Why is wildfire dangerous? 2. It often burns heavy fuels in areas that have not had fire in a long time.

8. Why is wildfire dangerous? 3. Wildfires burn very “hot.”

9. Florida is a Wildfire State Florida ranks 4 th in the U.S. in number of wildfires each year: about 7,000. Florida ranks 2 nd to Alaska in number of acres burned by wildfire each year.

10. What are some problems of wildfire? Loss of homes and property Damage to natural areas Smoke pollution Danger to animals

11. What creates the potential for wildfire? What do humans do to increase the possibility that wildfire will occur?

12. What are the causes of wildfire? Lightning Camp fires Smoking Debris Incendiary Equipment Railroad Children Unknown Miscellaneous Causes of Florida wildfires and acreage burned 1995-2001 114,625 3,616 708 12,616 43,643 38,754 1,043 1,734 23,581 1,869 Total: 252,193 acres per year, average

13. How can we prevent wildfires? What are some of the things you can do to prevent wildfire from happening? What do Florida land managers do to keep wildfire from happening? Fighting a wildfire.

14. Prescribed Fire

15. How would you define a Prescribed Fire? Look at the picture and describe what you see.

16. What does the word prescription mean? How is this similar to what land managers do with prescribed fire? What is a prescription?

17. What goes into creating a “prescription” for fire? Goals Weather Site Characteristics Fuels Smoke Management

18. What makes a prescribed fire different from a wildfire?

19. Why would people want to create a prescribed fire? To manage natural areas and maintain native ecosystems.

20. Why would people want to create a prescribed fire? To reduce hazardous fuel buildup

21. Why would people want to create a prescribed fire? Prescribed fire helps to minimize the frequency and impact of wildfires

22. Why would people want to create a prescribed fire? To clear areas for recreation or farming.

23. Why would people want to create a prescribed fire? To improve food and habitat for wildlife.

24. Prescribed fire is used much more than you may think! Average acreage burned by wildfires in Florida each year: 237,907 acres Average acreage burned using prescribed fire in Florida each year: 2,500,000 acres

25. One month after a prescribed fire

26. One year after a prescribed fire

27. What are the two kinds of fire that can occur in natural areas? Why is wildfire so dangerous? What is prescribed fire? How is prescribed fire planned? What are some of the benefits of prescribed fire? Wildfire and Prescribed Fire: Summary Discussion