MARTIN COUNTY — The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is expected to conduct prescribed burns May 14 and 15 at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, according to state officials.
The scheduled burns will last from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, and are expected to cover 440 acres of pine flatwoods along Park Drive, near the equestrian area, weather permitting, according to Robin Rossmanith, a DEP spokesperson.
The multi-use path will be closed May 14 because of the prescribed burn, and on May 15 the red horse trail and a small portion of the ocean-to-lake in the middle of the park will be closed, according to Rossmanith.
The purpose of prescribed burns is to mimic natural fire cycles to restore healthy forests, reduce undergrowth, and decrease the potential for wildfires.
Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048. E-mail her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Find out where prescribed burns are happening this week in Martin County
Reporting by Olivia Franklin, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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