Controlled Burn at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Is Now Monday

ST. PETERSBURG - A "prescribed burn" was delayed today because of a change in the wind direction at at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., in St. Petersburg. The date was changed to Monday, April 11, weather permitting.

Trails will be closed, but the picnic area and education center will be open.

The burn is expected to be completed by the end of the day. Smoke from the
burn is likely to disperse over Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and Lake Maggiore.

Weather is crucial in determining that a prescribed burn is conducted under the safest conditions possible and to allow for proper smoke dispersion.

The Florida Division of Forestry, St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve staff supervises and conducts prescribed burns.

If the weather forecast is considered unfavorable for the planned burn, the burn will be canceled.

Prescribed burning reduces the risk of dangerous and destructive wildfires by consuming the natural build-up of dead vegetation.

Additional benefits include:

• Natural pine regeneration
• New growth of nutritious plants for wildlife to eat
• Recycling nutrients into the soil (ash)
• Maintaining a healthy habitat for Gopher Tortoises
• Control of domineering vines and hardwoods in the pineland and scrub habitat
• Reduction in the cost of mowing and manual land maintenance
•  Better appearance of the landscape.

For more information, call Boyd Hill Nature Preserve at (727) 893-7326.