🔥 Prescribed Burns Underway Near Palm Bay: What Residents Should Know
Two controlled burns today may cause smoke; learn why they're essential. 💨
Palm Bay, FL - Residents may notice smoke in the air this afternoon, Thursday, April 10th, 2025, due to two separate prescribed burns being conducted in and near the area. WinAfternoon winds forecasted at 9 mph with gusts up to 22 mph are expected to carry smoke across parts of the city.he two burns are:
An 8,226-acre burn at the Three Forks Conservation Area in Palm Bay.
An 835-acre burn west of I-95 and south of Micco Road, near the Brevard/Indian River County border.
Why Prescribed Burns Happen ℹ️
While the smoke can be noticeable, prescribed burns are a crucial tool for land management in Florida. Fire managers use these carefully planned operations to achieve several important goals.
Key goals include:
Reducing hazardous fuels (like dead vegetation) to lessen wildfire risks.
Improving wildlife habitats by promoting nutritious new plant growth for species like deer, turkey, and gopher tortoises.
Recycling nutrients back into the soil.
Helping control certain pests and plant diseases.
Stay Informed
Conditions can change, so it's good practice to stay informed about active burns and potential smoke impacts.
Check the Brevard County Emergency Management Facebook page or the Florida Forest Service's active wildfire map for updates on fire activity and smoke conditions.
Curated by AI and fact-checked by The Palm Bayer.