Avoiding A Florida On Fire: The Importance Of Prescribed Burns By Lianne D'Arcy January 12, 2021 Ash-filled air and smoke-filled skies are more common in Florida than one might think. Prescribed fire is used year-round to preserve some of our state’s unique ecosystems. Prescribed fire is the planned and controlled application of fire by a team of certified experts. It is done to restore health to ecosystems that depend on fire. Many of Florida’s landscapes depend on fires to survive. Longleaf pines, turkey-oak sandhill, and Rockland Pine Forests are all Florida ecosystems that are fire-dependent. Prescribed fire accomplishes a number of land management purposes. It eliminates decayed plant matter that can fuel wildfires, improves accessibility to the landscape and helps recycle nutrients back into the soil, promoting new growth.