As wildfires torch landscapes across California, Florida takes a proactive — and sometimes seemingly counterintuitive — approach: setting fires on purpose across the Gulf Coast.
These controlled burns, known as prescribed fires, are crucial to maintaining the state’s fire-adapted ecosystems and protecting nearby homes from devastating wildfires, while also helping nature prosper in the process.
Naples Botanical Garden: Fire-dependent habitats and community protection
“Florida’s ecosystems need fire,” said Eric Foht, the director of conservation at Naples Botanical Garden.
The preserve’s proximity to urban development (a 90-acre preserve near Bayshore Drive in East Naples) makes these burns even more crucial.
“We have homes right adjacent to the preserve — literally 50 to 100 feet away ... what we do is essential in protecting them," Foht said.
Prescribed burns also reduce the “fuel load”— dead plant material that feeds wildfires.
“We did it for a lot of reasons: ecological, for wildlife, for plants, but also for wildfire reduction. Now, this area is much safer for future lightning strikes or wildfires,” Foht said.
The team at the Naples Botanical Garden told Gulf Coast News that they actively communicate with surrounding residents before burns begin, sending out notices in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole to ensure everyone is aware.
"This is all teamwork. It's critical. Teamwork makes this all possible," Foht said.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: A strategy of protection and renewal
At the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary along the Lee and Collier County line, Allyson Webb, the preserve's burn boss, manages a vast 13,000-acre area, using fire strategically to protect the land and surrounding communities.
“Depending on the habitat, you want to burn every two to five years. The less fuel that you have, the simpler it is to put it out," Webb said.
The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary team closely monitors weather conditions using a portable weather station that measures humidity, wind speeds, precipitation, and other factors every hour. Their arsenal of firefighting equipment includes tractors pulling 400-gallon water tanks and swamp buggies equipped with spray rigs, which are especially important due to the environment.
“By reducing these fuel loads, we’re protecting our neighbors. I think of it like a bonfire versus a campfire — we want our fuel loads to resemble a small campfire so we can suppress it quickly if necessary," Webb said.
The burns also benefit wildlife and plant life, especially in very remote areas with large animal populations.
“Florida is forged in water and fire. Sometimes, we see deer just two days after a burn. That’s my standing ovation, my big win. My smile," Webb said.
North Collier Fire Rescue: Defensible spaces and homeowner preparation
For local fire departments across the Gulf Coast, the focus shifts from ecosystems to safeguarding homes. Brush fire season typically begins as rains diminish, especially in rural areas.
“If people have a log archway at the entrance to their property, it should be trimmed to at least 15 feet high to allow fire trucks to pass,” said Heather Mazurkiewicz with North Collier Fire Rescue.
One of the biggest dangers during fire season comes from embers, which oftentimes can be carried by wind across multiple properties.
“There have been cases where embers get into air vents, causing the house to catch fire from the inside out,” Mazurkiewicz said.
Local fire districts tell Gulf Coast News that there are certain methods homeowners can use to protect themselves in the event of an emergency.
“You don’t want to see overgrown shrubbery or dried-out machinery sitting against a structure — that’s a recipe for disaster," Mazurkiewicz said.