Controlled burns being conducted within Goethe State Forest in Levy County, Dec. 6 - 8, to protect woodpeckers
FFS photos: (left and center) prescribed fires and (right) Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
Florida Forest Service, Waccasassa Forestry Center
For three consecutive days: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 6, 7, and 8, 2023, beginning around 10:00 am each day, the Florida Forest Service and cooperating *agencies will be conducting multiple small burns within the southern portion of the Goethe State Forest in Levy County, Florida.
The burns will be conducted around the bases of approximately 500 trees that provide refuge to the Red-cockaded woodpecker. This is being done to protect the woodpeckers, their cavity nests, and their habitat. A controlled burn around the base of trees eliminates larger fuel sources, thereby reducing higher flame heights and prolonged burning that could potentially ignite pine sap and harm the birds during wildfires and large prescribed burns.
Although this is not a large-scale acreage burn, there will be many small fires that will produce light smoke on the Forest interior, impacting the trail systems. No trails or roads will be closed. However, it is advised that people should avoid larger areas within the forest where there will be more smoke impacts and a large number of fire personnel and fire apparatus. Smoke should not impact surrounding homes or roads.
If you are in the southern portion of Goethe State Forest this week, be prepared to encounter some smoke, fire personnel, and fire equipment. And as always, if you encounter smoke on the roads, lower your speed, turn on your low beams, and remain vigilant.
*Agencies joining the Florida Forest Service will be Florida State Parks Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife, Alachua Conservation Trust, and Alachua County Forever.