Prescribed burns lower risk of Treasure Coast wildfires
When fires are being monitored and controlled, they can provide benefits.
David Grubich is the Forest Area Supervisor for St. Lucie and Indian River County and monitors prescribed burns that can be done 365 days a year when weather permits.
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"Just seeing how the fire works itself then how to actually stop the fire, it’s not as simple as people think there is a science behind it," Grubich said.
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Unlike wildfires, prescribed burns are done with a purpose. They help prevent bigger fires that could happen in the same area, clear land for development, bring nutrients back into the soil, restore habitats for wildlife and plants and mitigate fuel in wooded areas.
Grubich said one of the main benefits is fuel reduction.
Removing vegetation to decrease the threat of wildfires happens all year round in Florida. Too much sun and not enough rain has put parts of Florida under a moderate drought risk which can cause problems in the upcoming months.
"We’re in that cycle right now where that lull is going to happen where everything is going to stay dry," Grubich said. "We’re going to have more fuels readily available. So one spark from a powerline and what could have been a 10-acre fire, could be 1000 acres because there’s so much more fuel readily available. So that’s the impact it’s going to have."
