Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex Plans to Conduct Prescribed Burn(s) on Upper Sugarloaf and Little Pine Key, October 2021

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to conduct prescribed burns on one or more locations within the National Key Deer Refuge during October 2021 when and if weather conditions permit. Prescribed burns in the Florida Keys Refuges are implemented by a highly qualified and trained staff of interagency professional fire specialists. The primary reasons for conducting these burns are to remove the over accumulation of vegetation acting as fire fuel along our wildland-urban interface to protect our community private property and residents, and for ecological purposes aimed at mimicking a natural fire in the pine rockland habitat. This activity creates a defensible space between refuge lands and private property that helps to prevent or reduce the threat of wildfires by reducing fuel loads.        Restoration and maintenance of the fire-dependent pine rockland habitat is essential for a healthy ecosystem. Prescribed burns are important for the continued survival of local species such as the federally endangered Key deer, the Bartram’s hairstreak butterfly and the butterfly’s host plant, pineland croton, which has evolved to be dependent upon fire. Mechanized methods have also been used to strengthen fire breaks, as well as to mimic fire and restore pineland croton habitat in areas that are too overgrown or too close to private property to safely conduct prescribed fire activities.

Community updates, will be announced over the next few weeks on our website and facebook page and via roadside advisory signs. Maps of proposed prescribed burn units will be posted in the near future on Florida Keys Refuges Facebook (FloridaKeysRefuges) and website http://www.fws.gov/nationalkeydeer/.

For more information, please contact Brian Pippin at 931-260-3350 or [email protected], and follow Refuge updates on our website and Facebook page: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/National_Key_Deer_Refuge/ https://www.facebook.com/floridakeysrefuges

The National Wildlife Refuge System protects wildlife and wildlife habitat on more than 150 million acres of land and water from the Caribbean to the Pacific, Maine to Alaska. Refuges also improve human health, provide outdoor recreation, and support local economies. Visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov/refuges/.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/.

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