Smoke may be visible near Old Kings Road, S.R. 100 from Bulow Park prescribed fire Feb. 11

Flagler County staff is working with the Florida Forest Service and private consultants in an 80-acre area of Bulow Park.

By Observer Staff
| 12:46 p.m. February 11, 2016

The area to be burned, highlighted here in yellow, is west of Bulow Creek. (Image courtesy of Flagler County)

Palm Coast Observer
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The following is a news release from the Flagler County communications office:

Smoke may be visible Thursday, Feb. 11 in the area of State Road 100 and Old Kings Road as the result of a planned, prescribed fire in Bulow Park.

The Flagler County Land Management Department is working together with Flagler County Fire Rescue, Florida Forest Service and private consultants within a nearly 80-acre area of Bulow Park. Smoke may be visible throughout the day.

This prescribed fire, also referred to as a “controlled” fire, will remove the hazardous level of fuel on the property. Potential fires have a greater risk of being destructive the longer vegetation accumulates.

“Excess fuel causes fires to burn hotter and move faster, which can cause unpredictable results,” said Tim Telfer, public lands and natural resources manager. “Wildfires can cause immense economic damage and result in the loss of habitat for wildlife.”

Prescribed fire greatly reduces the potential for wildfire. It opens the forest floor and increases plant diversity for wildlife, including gopher tortoises.

Within a week of the fire, new plant life will start to grow.