Firewise

Information

Visit www.firewise.org to learn more about Firewise and its importance to TGO

Wildfi re Protection at TGO 2022 - A Team Eff ort by Ed Brown

Long before the fi rst human inhabitants of Florida walked our woodlands, there were the pine woods. They were the dominant plant species, maintained by lightning–caused fi re and supporting thousands of other plant and animal species. Then, in a short time, settlers moved in. There goes the neighborhood! They were encouraged by developers and local governments to buy and build in the pine woods. When threatened by Wildland Fires, they soon asked the local governments for Fire Protection. Welcome to the woodlands, SETTLER! “Controlled Burns” were used to eliminate off ending and dangerous vegetation and thereby protect valuable property. WHOOPS! They weren’t always “controlled,” as planned. Now termed “PRESCRIBED BURNS,” they are carefully researched and implemented to insure desired results. Some of the planning considerations:

The St. Johns River Water Management District uses Prescribed Fire to reduce the possibility of dangerous wildfi re while enhancing the land’s environmental quality. “Prescribed Fires Benefi ts include restoring and maintaining natural communities, reducing chances of destructive wildfi res, perpetuating fi re-adaptive plants and animals, cycling nutrients, controlling tree diseases and opening scenic vistas.” Your job, if a wildland fi re gets inside TGO (and it will), is to prepare your property beforehand: 1. Pick up leaves and branches on your lawn, under porches and on the roof. 2. Remove vines (ladder fuels) from trees (they can spread fi re to your roof). 3. Clear rain gutters of leaf trash. 4. Stack vegetative waste curbside for CSA pick-up. As you can see, keeping TGO Firewise and Safe is indeed a “Team Effort.” It starts with YOU! Visit Firewise.org to learn more about Firewise and its importance to our community. Our Firewise program is coordinated by the TGO Firewise Committee, which meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm, in the TGO Conference Room. All residents of TGO are welcome to attend.

• Humidity • Wind Speed • Wind Direction • Area Hazards • Impact of Smoke Downwind Of The Burn • Assistance From Other Agencies • Personnel & Equipment Needed • Eff ect On Local Traffi c

The T.G. Carlson Nature Center building houses the Nature Center museum, library, meeting room and a kitchen. The building also has a climate controlled enclosed porch where you can relax, read a book or have a bug-free picnic lunch. The building is open to TGO residents, renters and their guests seven days a week from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. This building went from an old camp site to a new modern concrete building. See how it transformed and learn more about the history of the Nature Museum at: www.tgonaturecenter.org