The health and survival of a longleaf pine flatwoods ecosystem depends on the regular occurrence of fire.

Heartwood Preserve is planning a Prescribed Burn during the next few weeks.

During and immediately after the Burn, Heartwood Preserve will be closed to all visitors. No one except authorized staff and crew is permitted to enter. This is for the safety of all.

Planning for our Prescribed Burn depends on weather conditions and other factors. Heartwood Preserve staff usually doesn’t know until the day before if they will hold the prescribed burn, so patience and flexibility are greatly appreciated. Weather also changes and can cause a burn to be postponed last minute. Please check the Facebook page or give them a call to get the most up-to-date information on any closings. Heartwood staff apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Heartwood Preserve plans Prescribed Burn for late June-early July

This burn in particular will be held in the Beautyberry, Wiregrass, Rose Rush, & Huckleberry natural areas of the cemetery. If conditions permit, we will have a 2nd burn day for a non-cemetery area in the far east corner of the property.

Prescribed Fire (also called “Control Burn”) at Heartwood Preserve is authorized and assisted by the Florida Forestry Service (FFS) and managed by our own FFS-certified prescribed burn manager and experienced burn crew. Pasco Fire Department is notified once we receive our FFS authorization on the day of the burn, and signs are posted along Starkey Boulevard to notify the public passing by.

Things to Know About Prescribed Fire

Prescribed Fire serves several ecological purposes.

• Reduces the amount of “fuel” (branches, twigs, leaves) that can make fires burn too intensely.
• Converts organic matter into nutrients and minerals to be absorbed by the living plants.
• Stimulates new growth following the burn, providing food for wildlife.
• Maintains an open understory, exposing the soil to allow seeds to germinate, spurring new trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.

Following the burn, Heartwood Preserve will plan a special private tour of the burn area, so you can see for yourself the amazing and transformative effects of one of nature’s most incredible of tools: fire.

If you want more information or have any questions, please contact Heartwood Preserve by phone or email. You can also check out their website to learn more about the importance of fire on this unique landscape. https://heartwoodpreserve.com/nature-preserve/