| PALATKA – Dunns Creek State Park is planning on conducting a prescribed burn in the area located next to the Blue Pond trail system off of US17. The burn will be weather dependent and may take place either 04/03/2018 or 04/04/2018, depending on weather conditions. During the time of the burn the entrance and trail system at Blue Pond will be closed. The trails will most likely be closed for several days after the burn due to excessive smoke. We will post an update as to when the trails will be back open on the park’s website www.floridastateparks.org and on the Friends of Dunns Creek State Park’s Facebook page. You can check on trail conditions and find out more information by calling 386-329-3721, Tuesday – Friday, 8 a. m. to 4 p.m.
The day use area and trails starting at the Piney Bluff Landing will not be affected by this burn and will remain open. The main entrance leading to the day use area is locate at 320 Sisco Road.
Prescribed burning, which is guided by detailed plans and must be conducted by specially trained staff, is an important land-management activity that benefits many of the nearly 800,000 acres entrusted to the Florida State Park system. Prescribed burns are used to reduce fuel loads, manage wildlife habitat, increase ecosystem diversity and assist in invasive plant control within these natural areas. Conducted with the Florida Forest Service, partnering land managers and local fire departments, this coordination ensures burns are conducted safely and efficiently. Prescribed fires are conducted only by highly trained and professional staff and only when weather conditions are suitable. To learn more about the role of prescribed fire, visit www.goodfires.org. |
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