Born in the 1960s, I am a child of the Smokey Bear generation taught -at all costs- to avoid forest fires. Times have changed and we now know that fire is a necessary part of Florida’s ecology bringing renewal. As a Governing Board member of the South Florida Water Management District, I decided before 2020 ended, I should learn about this first hand.
Recently, Section Leader, Jim Schuette, Land Management Department, was my guide. We met near Cypress Creek in Palm Beach County near the Loxahatchee. We arrived early and were greeted by a small herd of adorable Zebu cattle – like miniature Cracker Cattle!
Shortly thereafter, Gene Colwell, Senior Scientist, and Land Management Techs, Hal Camp and Marshall Davis arrived. Gene led the detailed safety/info briefing. “I hope I can do this,” I thought. Jim gave me some fireproof clothing and a hard hat. Suddenly, I was just “one of the guys.”
-Senior Scientist, Gene Caldwell leads briefing
-Loxahatchee River Area near border of Martin & Palm Beach counties
The fires were set with cans of diesel and gas and I noticed the pine needles that carpeted the forest burned slowly first. I was concerned about the wildlife.
“When the animals smell this they leave the area,” Jim said.
“Are there any gopher holes for the smaller animals to hide in?” I inquired.
“Yes, and the ground is moist.” He placed a handful of soil into my hand and explained that due to time of year and wet conditions, it would not be a towering fire. Jim noted that the team always worked to protect the canopy of the pine trees. I knew that in spite of the best circumstances, sometimes, there must be casualties, but for the health of the forest over-all it’s beneficial.
Stepping away from the heat, I read my UF handout:” Ecological research shows that fire is an integral component in the function of natural habitats and that the organisms within these communities have adapted to withstand, and benefit from wildfires. In fact, many Florida habitats only exist due to the presence of wildfires. Some were created by frequent fires, others by a few big fires decades apart.”
As time went on things heated up; I watched as Marshall and Hal used fire guns that ignited diesel filled ping-pong balls that were shot into the woods. Later in the day, I was asked if I wanted to participate under the supervision of the team.
Getting my nerve up, I grabbed one of the heavy fire-lighting containers.
Mr Calwell instructed me to start the fires a good distance apart along the edge of the forest. The pine needles ignited first, cracking and moving like a living organism all its own. It felt strange lighting the woods on fire.
“There were a lot of things we believed in the 1960s that we no longer hold true.” I thought to myself.
The can was heavy and I used both arms. My neck ached. The sound of the fires popped and cracked as tall tongues hissed in the oily palmettos. Suddenly, liquid like flames traversed the bark of the pine trees creating a windstorm of fiery renewal. I was told the new growth would start coming back within just two days…
-Hal Camp with fire gun
-Jim Schuette reports smoke situation on 1-95 “visibility is good”
-Palmettos and sable palms are oily and burn quickly 
-Post burn using water to cool hot spots
-Fire brings renewal. Within just days green sprouts will emerge! Above Jim wets embers
FIRE VIDEOS: IMG_7289
Thank you to Jim Schuette and the SFWMD Land Management team for this experience!
Michaeltownes@yahoo.com very interesting and informative. I live just north of the area and often smell the fires. It’s nice to know they are “Friendly Fires” and are under control!
Thanks for all you do!
Thanks Michael. Hope the smell is never too much. Happy New Year and thanks for your comment. I don’t smell in Sewall’s Point and if I did I would be complaining if too much!
I’m impressed! That was very brave of you. So cute seeing the cattle come so close to you as if to say “Now Jacqui, are you writing everything down correctly?”
Forest fires are no joke. I have the utmost respect for the men and women who go out to fight them.
When I lived in Maine I was on the volunteer fire department. Farmers burn their blueberry fields in the spring to control weeds, spur new growth. It supposedly helps put potash fertilizer back into the ground.
One time a field burn got out of control and the call went out. By the time we got there the fire was way out of control. I’d never seen anything like it before. The flames were up to the tops of the trees, but in some places the fire was not on the ground as much as it was in the tops of the trees, jumping from tree top to tree top. The heat was incredible. It sounded like a jet engine was all around us but with occasional exploding and crashing of tree limbs. All we could do was keep the smaller grass fires on the ground from spreading.
Fortunitely the fire stopped when it came to another field because there were no more trees close by to ignite. This was 40 years ago, but I can still remember the sight of the fire jumping from tree top to tree top.
Erza you always have the most incredible stories! Wow! Thank you for sharing and wishing you a happy 2021.
Thank you, and a most wonderful and excellent wish to you and Ed both for the New Year. I believe we are going to see things happen in 2021 that we could not imagine, both good and bad, hopefully more good ;-).
I think if we took the time to talk to someone we’d find that most people have had an interesting life one way or another.
Love to you Ezra and Happy New Year!!!
Just as you said, a burn is scary. They now call it a prescribed burn instead of a controlled burn because they sometimes go out of control. Winds change direction or suddenly build up speed.
Diane thanks so much for your comment. You must have watched that first video. We are kindred spirts.
You get to have too much fun Jacqui 😀
Hi Steve. I do have a wonderful life. Very fortunate. So much to see and experience. Wishing you a Happy 2021 and please give your family Ed and my warmest regards.
Educational for all of us! Thanks, Jacqui!
Nancy so great to “hear your voice.” Thanks so much and wishing you and all the family a Happy New Year!