What caused a 700-acre fire at Myakka River State Park? What officials say
A viral social media post of a fire at Myakka River State Park is raising questions about why a prescribed burn happened during drought conditions.
State agencies told the Herald that after park staff completed a controlled burn last week, a wildfire sparked the next day and flared out of control, burning over 700 acres.
Manatee and Sarasota counties are under burn ban advisories. And both counties have moderate and severe drought conditions, according to the National Weather Service.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the social media post had over 1,400 shares and 720,000 views. Facebook users expressed frustration and concern about the apparent decision to do a prescribed burn during a drought.
“So annoying they would burn when we are so dry,” one person said on the post. “Like why couldn’t it wait. And is anyone going to be held responsible for this?”
Another said, “A controlled burn during a ban was (reckless), no doubt! Ash was flying over our house and we aren’t as close as you guys ... I kept wondering, what in the world are they thinking?!?”
“This makes me so sad and angry at the same time,” reads another comment on the post.
Wildfire sparked at Myakka park after controlled burn, state says
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection told the Herald in an email that staff carried out a prescribed burn at Myakka River State Park last Wednesday.
The following day, park staff observed a “small wildfire” break out near the burn site, FDEP said.
Despite describing the fire as “small,” FDEP said it took multiple agencies to bring it under control. Myakka River State Park staff called in staff from nearby state parks, the Florida Forest Service and Sarasota County for assistance, FDEP said. They contained the fire by Thursday evening, the agency said.
While FDEP oversees the state parks system, the Florida Forest Service authorizes prescribed burns. The state agencies did not explain their decision to conduct a prescribed burn during hot, dry conditions.
A representative of the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, which oversees the Forest Service, said only that the burn followed state laws.
“Prescribed burning is an important tool to ensure we do not experience devastating wildfires like California,” FDACS Communications Director Aaron Keller said in an email.
“Prescribed fire is a critical tool for maintaining healthy ecosystems, and our trained staff follow rigorous safety protocols,” FDEP spokesperson Alexandra Kuchta said in an email. “We are grateful to all the first responders who assisted in safely containing the wildfire.”
Are controlled burns usually done during a drought?
Michael Elswick, a division manager of Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department, explained in an email that while some areas could be safely burned during dry conditions, fires are usually not permitted during droughts.
“Even when containment is not an issue, long-term smoldering can cause impacts to the community that are excessive,” Elswick said in an email.
Elswick added wetter conditions are more ideal as it allows fires to burn through.
“This helps to limit smoke impacts to a single day or, more often, a few hours during one day whereas fire happening in a drought (wildfires) often involve duff, muck and heavy fuels (logs) smoldering for days,” Elswick said in an email.
Why are controlled fires important?
Controlled burns are a benefit to wildlife, people and local ecosystems, according to state agencies, scientists and land managers.
“Prescribed fires are a vital conservation and land management tool used to reduce the build-up of hazardous vegetative fuels, restore fire-dependent habitats and improve forage for Florida native wildlife,” Elswick said in an email.
Several native plants will disappear from areas where fires are excluded, because they will not flower, set seed or germinate, Elswick said.
According to FWC, prescribed fires “lower the risks to people and property from fast-moving catastrophic fires and reduces the intensity of wildfires when they do occur.”
Elswick said controlled burns prevent habitats from becoming overgrown and impenetrable, while keeping grasses and wildflowers from being displaced by shrubs and vines.
This allows wildlife to have space to move around and forage, he said.
“At Myakka, fire is critical for the health of 78% of the park, with numerous natural communities depending on fire to maintain their plant composition and structure,” nonprofit conservation group Friends of Myakka River wrote on social media in response to the April 24 fire at the state park.
Which animals benefit from controlled fires?
One native bird that relies on prescribed fires is the endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow, according to FWC. Wild turkeys, gopher tortoises, indigo snakes and birds such as the Florida scrub jay also benefit from controlled fires, FWC said.
“Florida’s animals such as bobwhite quail, turkey, white tailed deer, gopher tortoises and a huge array of other birds, reptiles, and amphibians require fire to produce the diversity of low-growing forage they need, to provide space to move and dig burrows,” Elswick said.
How and when are controlled fires conducted?
Manatee County’s 2025 burn plan includes 10,000 acres at nine preserves, Elswick said.
Elwick said the busiest time is between June 15 and August 15, when the county might perform two or more burns in a day.
According to FWC, prescribed fires are planned months in advance after wildlife biologists and land managers identify areas that will benefit. The Florida Forest Service authorizes controlled burns when preferred weather conditions exist, FWC said.
The areas identified for prescribed burns vary year by year, with the time between burns for pine flatwoods could be every 18 months to four years and a sandhill every 18 months to three years, FWC said.
FWC said it makes every effort to minimize the impact on people, but the burn areas are likely to smell smoky for a day or two.
This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 5:50 AM.
