By Monique O. Madan
mmadan@miamiherald.com
About 31,000 acres of Everglades land will be burned Tuesday and Wednesday by the park’s Fire and Aviation Division to decrease the chances of wildfires.The burn will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday and run through Wednesday south of U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail on park lands, east of the Shark Valley park entrance and Visitor Center, and west of the L-67 canal.
Smoke will be visible but authorities don’t expect it to affect breathing or visibility.
Equipment that will be used will include two fire engines from the park and one from the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, two helicopters , a single-engine airtanker, and an airboat from Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
Prescribed burns are an important part of resource management, said Linda Friar, spokeswoman for Everglades National Park.
“This particular burn is to primarily reduce the build-up of fuel that’s in this particular area. Vegetation has mounted up over time,” Friar said.
Park firefighters will initiate the burn.
“Smoke may be visible but not expected to impact park visitors or communities,” Friar said.
According Scott Peterich, wildfire mitigation specialist for the Everglades District,
Authorities say, despite appearances, the fire will be totally under control.
“Smoke will go out to the rural areas, not into town,” said Scott Peterich, wildfire mitigation specialist for the Everglades District. “That’s the nice thing about a prescribed burn vs. a wildfire. The plan is very specific.”
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