Prescribed Burn @ Bailey Tract (J.N. Ding Darling Refuge)

J.N. Ding Darling NWR - Bailey Tract (92 degrees, slight breeze, blue skies)

One of the benefits about volunteering for a Fish and Wildlife Refuge is experiencing events from behind the scenes.  Recently the refuge prepared for a prescribed burn of one of the areas at Ding Darling called the Bailey Tract.  Sixty acres were designated as an area for a prescribed burn on August 8th.  

According to Fish and Wildlife "the purpose of this prescribed burn is to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic wildfires.  In addition, it enhances wildlife habitat by reducing the spread of invasive woody vegetation and restoring the natural ecology of the area."

Photo taken by Ding Staff

Firefighter officials from several areas (Big Cypress Preserve, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge & Southern Florida/Caribbean Fire District) joined the team including Sanibel City representatives and the police department.  

Photo taken by Ding staff

A burn of this size requires a lot of advance planning and community outreach.  A meeting for the community was held well in advance.  Homes, hotels, and businesses in the nearby area were personally contacted and flyers were placed in each mailbox.  A reverse 911 call went out to folks the night prior and day of the burn.  Plus a command center was set up close by to provide information. Huge flashing information signs were set up on the main road in front of Bailey Tract advising cars passing by of the burn about a week prior.  It was a well choreographed event well before the fire crews arrived. 

Tall grasses and vegetation

We went out the evening prior to take some "before burn" photographs.  See how high the grasses have grown. Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S.  A strike to this dry grass could be a real problem.  A planned burn is much easier to handle than an unplanned fire.  Having all equipment and well trained staff in place prior is so critical.   

Prior to the burn

Dense vegetation

As we walked the trail a alligator came over to check us. out.  In fact, it came out of the water towards us which was a little too close for our comfort.  We ended up notifying staff the next day.  Obviously someone is feeding this alligator. Coming towards a human is not good alligator behavior.  Remember never to feed the wildlife.  Unfortunately a fed alligator usually ends up a dead alligator.  

Our campsite is located behind the maintenance area for the refuge.  The day before huge equipment started to arrive.  It was interesting to watch all the action. Firefighters have some great toys.

The conditions were perfect the morning of the burn and all started off as planned.  However, around 2 pm the burn was ended due to a sudden wind shift. Forty of the sixty acres were burned. and plans were made to continue the next morning.  A big rain storm at night cancelled the continuation the next morning. The firefighters left with their equipment to help out other areas. Ding's fire ranger left shortly later for a fire in Idaho and is still there.  Be safe Paul.  

Post burn

We were told the area quickly recovers after a fire.  Here you can see where most of the grasses have been burned away to water level.

If you look closely in the picture below one week later small shoots of grass are already starting to grow.  Nature is amazing.

Small shoots of grass already returning.  

We have seen evidence of prescribed burns at other parks during our travels.  It was interesting to see what happens behind the scenes this time.  At one time forest fires were quickly extinguished in National Parks and prescribed burns were not done. The hope is this burning practises will eliminate catastrophic wildfires.