A Land of Fire: Prescribed burns in Everglades National Park

Did you know the first prescribed fire in U.S. National Park Service history was carried out in Everglades National Park? The first burn was prescribed in 1958 under the guidance of Dr. Bill Robertson, an early advocate for fire’s ecological role in Pine Rockland ecosystems, Today, the park hosts one of the largest prescribed burn programs in the NPS, routinely treating over 100,000 acres per year. In recent years, the Everglades has accounted for about 50% of all prescribed acres treated across the entire NPS and 20% within the U.S. Department of the Interior. In this blog, we’ll talk more about prescribed burns, and its role in the Everglades ecosystem.

Purposes of Prescribed Fire

Prescribed burns are a critical land-management tool for achieving several key objectives:

Wildfire Risk Reduction

Prescribed fire is an effective tool for reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires by decreasing the buildup of flammable vegetation, such as dead wood, dry grasses, and dense underbrush. By intentionally burning these fuels under carefully controlled conditions, land managers can lower the intensity and spread potential of future wildfires. This proactive approach not only protects nearby communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems but also improves firefighter safety by creating strategic firebreaks and lowering the chances of unpredictable fire behavior during wildfire season.

Ecosystem Restoration & Maintenance

Planning & Implementation

Prescribed burns are meticulously planned months or even years in advance, with fire managers closely monitoring a variety of conditions, including weather, wind, humidity, fuel moisture, water levels, and smoke dispersion—to identify a safe and effective burn window. In areas designated as Class 1 Airsheds, such as the Everglades, additional precautions are taken to minimize the impact of smoke. These measures include timing burns based on favorable wind direction, adjusting ignition methods, posting alerts and signs for visitors, and temporarily closing areas when necessary

Fire Management Strategy

The park’s Fire Management Plan has evolved to move away from rigid “block” burning and instead embrace fire regimes that more closely mimic natural fire patterns, thereby supporting the ecological integrity of habitats such as the pinelands. Natural fire intervals in these ecosystems vary, with sawgrass prairies typically experiencing fire every 1–3 years, reflecting the natural frequency of lightning-driven fires. In contrast, pine rocklands generally burn every 3–7 years, aligning with their historical fire cycles.

Educational & Visitor Engagement

Prescribed burns occasionally serve an educational purpose in addition to their ecological benefits. For instance, in 2012, a 6.5-acre Headquarters burn provided visitors and students with a firsthand opportunity to learn about fire ecology. This controlled burn not only reduced fuel loads near park facilities but also helped raise public awareness and understanding of the role fire plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Ecological Benefits

• Fire stimulates nutrient cycling, releasing nutrients stored in plant matter.

• Many native species—like saw palmetto and wax myrtle—are fire-adapted and rebound quickly after burns

• Some wildlife, including birds and even Florida panthers, benefit from post-burn vegetation patterns and prey availability

• Extensive prescribed burns in the park are extremely cost-effective—about $5 per acre versus $500 per acre to suppress wildfires