Fires are a natural and important ecosystem function for Florida's environment. Using prescribed fire as a land management tool can reduce risk of wildfires to communities and developed areas as well as benefit the ecosystem by renewing wildlife habitats and promoting ecological diversity.

Prescribed Fire Benefits

• Helps reduce the risk of wildfire and protects communities adjacent to natural areas by reducing highly flammable vegetation.

• Promotes and maintains healthy forests and resilient fire-adapted ecosystems.

• Improves nutritional quality and nutrient cycling of soil.

• Maintains habitat conditions for plants and animals.

• Maintains biodiversity within fire-adapted habitats by promoting flowering and fruiting of plant species.

• Restores fire to landscapes that no longer experience the natural historic flow of fire due to habitat fragmentation.

• Helps to manage invasive plant populations.

• Safer, efficient, and more cost effective than wildfire management.

Weather permitting, prescribed fire operations are expected to begin January 12 within the Miccosukee Ranch burn units identified below. The burn units are located along Snake Road on the Alligator Alley Reservation (see the map below). Additionally, ignition operations may continue throughout the next few weeks and /or month of January on the Miccosukee West Ranch Reservation. The target burn windows below are only estimates and may change depending on environmental conditions, national preparedness level, Agency Administrator approval, and resource availability.

Please see map for exact locations.  

Miccosukee Ranch - Alligator Alley Reservation

Priority 1: Pasture 4 RX (1/12/2025)

Priority 2: Pasture 9 RX (TBD)

Priority 3: Pasture 10 RX (TBD)

Priority 4: Pasture 7 RX (TBD)

Priority 5: Radio Tower Central RX (TBD)

Priority 6: Dudda Shop Central RX (TBD)

Priority 7: Dudda Shop North RX (TBD)

Priority 8: Pasture 4 RX (TBD)

Priority 9: Pasture 1 RX (TBD)

Priority 10: Pasture 2 RX (TBD)

West Ranch - Miccosukee Reservation

Priority 1: SRR1 RX (TBD)

Priority 2: SRR3 RX (TBD)