City of Gulf Breeze’s Post

Gulf Breeze, FL. --Gulf Islands National Seashore plans to conduct prescribed burns within the Naval Live Oaks Area near Gulf Breeze, Florida, on April 26. The planned burns are scheduled to take place around 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. but will only occur if specific conditions are met. The park will review the conditions on the morning of each potential burn day to determine if the burn will take place. Longleaf pine flatwood habitats in the Naval Live Oaks Area depend upon regular fire to maintain this ecosystem type, which is important for several protected species including the gopher tortoise. The national seashore has developed small burn blocks, to mitigate potential community impacts. Ground ignition will be used to limit smoke and help provide maximum control of the burn areas. Park visitors may experience minor smoke impacts and possibly short-term road closures necessary for the safety of visitors, firefighters, and equipment. Recent wildland fire seasons have been extreme, serving as a reminder that fire is a natural process and proactive measures can diminish the possibility or prevent wildfires from spreading. Introducing fire into the ecosystem, through the seashore’s prescribed fire program can help curtail the risk to life, property, and resources in the event of a wildfire caused by a lightning strike or incidental human causes. Beyond preventative measures, fire can benefit wildlife and their habitat.

Gulf Islands National Seashore plans to conduct a prescribed burn within the Naval Live Oaks Area near Gulf Breeze, Florida, on April 15, 16 and 17. The planned burns are scheduled to take place around 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. but will only occur if specific conditions are met. The park will review the conditions on the morning of each potential burn day to determine if the burn will take place. Longleaf pine flatwood habitats in the Naval Live Oaks Area depend upon regular fire to maintain this ecosystem type, which is important for several protected species including the gopher tortoise. The national seashore has developed small burn blocks, to mitigate potential community impacts. Ground ignition will be used to limit smoke and help provide maximum control of the burn areas. Park visitors may experience minor smoke impacts and possibly short-term road closures necessary for the safety of visitors, firefighters, and equipment. Recent wildland fire seasons have been extreme, serving as a reminder that fire is a natural process and proactive measures can diminish the possibility or prevent wildfires from spreading. Introducing fire into the ecosystem, through the seashore’s prescribed fire program can help curtail the risk to life, property, and resources in the event of a wildfire caused by a lightning strike or incidental human causes. Beyond preventative measures, fire can benefit wildlife and their habitat. For current closure information visit: https://lnkd.in/epccWV-A

New research shows that beaver-modified landscapes can provide critical wildfire and wildlife refuge benefits. This comes at a time when federal agencies are directing increased federal spending towards addressing wildfire risk. The research demonstrates that investments in beaver restoration should be specifically included in federal agency wildfire risk reduction efforts. Let's work towards restoring our ecosystems and reducing wildfire risk simultaneously. #BeaverRestoration #WildfireRiskReduction #EcosystemRestoration #naturebasedsolutions

As technology is deployed in Canada to combat worsening wildfire problems, the ancient practice of fighting fire with fire is also getting... #wildfires #wildfire #forestprotection #sustainableforests #ragingfires #amplicam #firedetection

As technology is deployed in Canada to combat worsening wildfire problems, the ancient practice of fighting fire with fire is also getting... #wildfires #wildfire #forestprotection #sustainableforests #ragingfires #amplicam #firedetection

Latest on International Fire Buyer: Californian Wildfires continue to Ravage the State The State of California is grappling with one of the most destructive wildfire seasons in its history, as fires continue to spread across vast areas, leaving devastation in their wake. The Park Fire, which ignited on July 24, 2024, has already scorched 391,200 acres, primarily affecting Butte, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama counties. As of today, the blaze is only 18% contained, posing a significant challenge to firefighting efforts. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) reports a staggering 4,665 wildfires since the start of the year, with 763,425 acres burned across the state. The Park Fire alone has destroyed 559 structures and damaged 96 more, displacing thousands of residents and leading to one civilian fatality. The fire has necessitated a massive mobilization of resources, including 5,953 personnel, 41 helicopters, 508 engines, 180 bulldozers, 127 water tenders, 117 crews, and 86 other support units. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eRQFejuD #fire #firefighting #wildfire #californiawildfire #parkfire

Act now to protect the Greater Western Everglades! The Rural Lands West (RLW) development has tried to gain approvals since 2008 – a testament to its flawed location and destructive threat to our natural resources. It must not succeed now. Locally known as Rivergrass and Longwater Village, this project was permitted by Collier County and is close to breaking ground. However, its last major hurdle is a federal wetland dredge & fill permit under the Clean Water Act Section 404, which will be decided by the Army Corps of Engineers. The applicant is proposing over 4,400 acres for this new town in eastern Collier County within the greater Western Everglades, a critical wildlife corridor for the endangered Florida panther. The proposed site is upstream of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and would destroy over 270 acres of wetlands within the Camp Keais Strand wetland flowway. Help protect our wetlands and this critical linkage for the endangered Florida panther that would be fragmented if this project is approved! Tell decision-makers that you do not support this development at https://lnkd.in/eXewgNA9.

With another wildland fire start taking off in #KernCounty, it's important to highlight May as National Wildfire Awareness Month. Whether creating defensible space by clearing vegetation from within 100 feet of structures or formulating a solid wildfire evacuation plan, it's critical to be prepared if/when wildland fires occur. The safety of yourself, your family, your pets/livestock and your property depend on it. *This picture comes from ALERTCalifornia, a tool that can help the public, along with Utilities and government agencies, in monitoring high-risk fire areas during peak fire season. (Wind Fire, Wheeler Ridge CA, 05/20/24) #nationalwildfireawarenessmonth #wildfire #wildlandfire #wildfiremitigation #wildfireprevention #prescribedburns #culturalburns #utilityindustry #utilities #publicsafety #vegetationmanagement #treeremoval #defensiblespace #brushclearing #prevention #fireprevention #communitysafety #california #oregon #washington #arizona #newmexico #utah #colorado #idaho #montana #alaska #texas #westcoast #arborist #treework #utilitylineclearance #utilityvegetationmanagement #safety #calfire #usfs #alertcalifornia

New: Increasingly fast-moving wildfires were responsible for nearly 80% of homes and other structures destroyed in conflagrations in the US over the past two decades, according to a first-of-its kind study. The growth rate of the fastest wildfires — those that burn at least 4,000 acres (1,620 hectares) in a single day — increased 249% in the western US between 2001 and 2020. During that period, some 1.8 million structures nationwide were threatened by a fast-moving fire, researchers found. In California, wildfires became 398% faster between 2001 and 2020, according to the researchers. Fire scientist Jennifer Balch, the study's lead author, said the threat these fast-moving wildfires pose to people and property means that officials should concentrate less on the size of fires and more on their speed. “I think the big upshot here is to forget megafires and focus on fast fires,” she said. “We really need to define the problem around fast-moving events rather than big fires that are burning into the wildlands.” Free link for seven days. https://lnkd.in/gqxN_JV8

Severe weather events and wildlife BSC USA is thinking of our friends in Florida that have made it through another major weather event with Hurricane Milton. We hope you are safe and well despite the impacts of the storm. Major weather events disrupt normal animal movements and behaviors. As aircraft start to move back into the effected areas and as emergency services continue to operate in these areas, it's a good reminder that you may need to adapt your monitoring activities for wildlife management and you may encounter unusual species or unusual behaviors. Keep an eye out for animals such as alligators or bears that have been disrupted by the storm. In addition, you may see pelagic species that were exhausted by the strong winds. Here's a Florida-specific article about related hazards - https://lnkd.in/g2zTMGcN. For those non-Floridians, animal behaviors are also effected by other events such as wildfires, floods, and tornados. These situations can be challenging to manage and often the only (or best) option is to effectively communicate the hazard (what it is, where it is, what it is doing, in which location, and at what times). #birdstrike #aviationsafety #hurricanes #wildlifebehavior