Prescribed Burn Set for Longleaf Pine Preserve

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

Volusia County’s Land Management personnel will be on-site in Longleaf Pine Preserve off Pioneer Trail, conducting a prescribed burn on Tuesday, December 29.

The burn will take place north of Pioneer Trail off Far East Airstrip Road. The 13-acre burn will not impact trails or public use.

According to a release, to restore and maintain the diversity of the ecosystems, prescribed fire is one of the many tools Volusia County uses to manage conservation lands. 

Prescribed fire has many benefits, like eliminating dry and overgrown vegetation, reducing the risk of wildfires, increasing seeding, fruiting, and forage quality in plants, and improving wildlife habitats. While other land management treatments are sometimes used, prescribed fire is the most effective.

Historically, nature provided all the tools needed to maintain healthy habitats of natural lands. With the advent of fire suppression, fragmentation due to development, exotic species, and user impacts, most natural lands are overgrown. Human intervention is now needed to provide the factors necessary for a healthy habitat.

For more information about prescribed burns, visit volusia.org/prescribed-burning.