Commissioner Nikki Fried, Florida Forest Service Highlight Benefits of Prescribed Fire as Winter Burning Begins

Tallahassee, Fla. — Yesterday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Florida Forest Service Assistant Director Johnny Sabo held a press conference at Point Washington State Forest to discuss the importance and benefits of prescribed fire in Florida as winter burning begins.

Nearly half of Florida is made up of forests, the state’s top agricultural commodity. Managing these forests is essential to powering Florida’s economy, sustaining the ecosystem and supporting the state’s infrastructure. Florida’s landscape is a fire-adapted ecosystem, which means it depends on recurring fire to renew the forest and habitats that support native plant and animal species.

“Thank you to the entire team at the Florida Forest Service and all our partners, landowners, and certified burners. We are grateful for the work you do to protect our communities and natural resources,” said Commissioner Fried. “Florida knows the power of prescribed fire, and we are committed to continuing a practice that was established by those who came before us and is critical to the future of Florida.”

“It’s important for everyone to know that prescribed fire is the most valuable tool we have to manage Florida’s fire-dependent and fire-prone landscapes,” said Assistant Director Sabo. “Public as well as private partners, like Tall Timbers Research Station and the Florida Forestry Association, have been key to prioritizing this practice that protects Florida’s residents, communities, wildlife habitats and natural resources.”

To learn more or to view prescribed fires planned in a specific community, visit WhyPrescribedFire.org. View footage from yesterday’s press conference here.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is the lead state agency for forestry and fire. Florida leads the nation in the use of prescribed fire, which significantly reduces the chances of catastrophic wildfires and maintains the health and biodiversity of Florida’s forests.

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