National Forests in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The U.S. Forest Service is prescribed burning approximately 1,272 acres in the Apalachicola National Forest today.

The prescribed burn will take place in the southwest side of the forest, slightly northwest of the community of Sumtra. The burn will improve wildlife habitat, eliminate vegetation build up and reduce the threat of wildfires.

People are reminded that the smoke they may see today and tomorrow in this vicinity is not coming from a wildfire. Motorists are cautioned to drive slowly with lights on while traveling in smoky areas.

This is one of many prescribed burns the Apalachicola National Forest is doing during the 2010 prescribed burning season.

Individuals who are sensitive to smoke may contact the Apalachicola Zone Fire Management Officer at 850.926.3561 ext 6523 to be placed on a notification list for future burns.

See the Apalachicola’s 2010 planned burn map

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The U.S. Forest Service is prescribed burning approximately 1,211 acres in the Apalachicola National Forest today.

The prescribed burn will take place near the Tallahassee Airport, off Springhill Road and New Light Church Road. The burn will improve wildlife habitat, eliminate vegetation build up and reduce the threat of wildfires.

People are reminded that the smoke they may see today and tomorrow in this vicinity is not coming from a wildfire. Motorists are cautioned to drive slowly with lights on while traveling in smoky areas.

This is one of many prescribed burns the Apalachicola National Forest is doing during the 2010 prescribed burning season.

Individuals who are sensitive to smoke may contact the Apalachicola Zone Fire Management Officer at 850.926.3561 ext 6523 to be placed on a notification list for future burns.

Today’s burn is in burn unit 249 (see the Apalachicola’s 2010 planned burn map)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The U.S. Forest Service is prescribed burning approximately 1,162 acres on the Apalachicola National Forest starting at about 10 a.m. today.

The prescribed burn will take place in an area in the far southwestern portion of the forest, slightly northwest of the community of Sumatra.  The burn will improve wildlife habitat, eliminate vegetation build up and reduce the threat of wildfires.

People are reminded that the smoke they may see today and tomorrow in this vicinity is not coming from a wildfire. Motorists are cautioned to drive slowly with lights on while traveling in smoky areas.

The burn will be in burn unit 100 (see link to 2010 Burn Map below).  This is one of many prescribed burns the Apalachicola National Forest is doing during the 2010 prescribed burning season.

Individuals who are sensitive to smoke may contact the Apalachicola Zone Fire Management Officer at (850) 524-1244 to be placed on a notification list for future burns.

2010 Prescribed Burn Map

Swimming area at Fore Lake

This upcoming weekend, August 14-15, many National Forests in Florida recreation sites are fee-free in honor of Back-to-School.

Get the family outdoors and have a great time before settling back into the classroom!

Free admission applies to certain sites within the Ocala, Apalachicola, and Osceola National Forests.

Review the full list of sites in each of the National Forests in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fl. – The USDA Forest Service, National Forests in Florida has selected Mike Herrin as the Ocala National Forest District Ranger. Herrin is the current District Ranger for the Three Rivers Ranger District of the Kootenai National Forest in Montana.

Herrin, a 25-year veteran of the USDA Forest Service, started his career as a seasonal biological technician and co-op student on the Colville National Forest. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management, Forestry with an emphasis in Wildlife Habitat Management from Washington State University. After finishing college in 1988, he became the first District Wildlife Biologist on the Newport Ranger District of the Colville National Forest. Read More…