Okaloosa County plans controlled burns at Shoal River Preserve to restore natural habitat
Okaloosa County, Florida – Officials in Okaloosa County are getting ready to do a series of planned burns at the Shoal River Preserve in the northeast part of the county. Work is expected to start later this week and go until February. The county’s Land Resources Division is in charge of the effort, which is being done in partnership with the Florida Forest Service, Okaloosa County Public Safety, and a number of local fire departments, such as North Okaloosa, Crestview, and Dorcas.
The planned burns will cover roughly 400 acres of the preserve and will be conducted only when weather conditions allow for safe and controlled operations. County officials indicated that those who live close might see some smoke during the procedure, but the effects are likely to be minor because of careful planning and monitoring.
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People are using prescribed burning as a way to manage the land and bring it back to its natural health. Officials claim that the controlled fires help get rid of extra plants that can build up over time, making it less likely that more dangerous and unexpected wildfires will happen in the future. Maintaining the land in this way also improves safety for firefighters by limiting the amount of fuel available if an unplanned fire were to occur.
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County leaders stressed that controlled burns are a crucial way to conserve native habitats. Fire helps new plants grow by clearing away dense vegetation, making nutrients more available in the soil, and making circumstances that many animals need to survive. Fire has always been a feature of Florida’s forests and grasslands, and officials say these controlled burns let land managers work with that natural process instead of against it.
“These burns are a necessary part of creating a healthy wildlife habitat and an important part of creating an ideal space that will soon be open for the enjoyment of residents and visitors,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin.
“Okaloosa County is fortunate to have a robust tourism industry that has funded the purchase of this land and others in north Okaloosa County to leave a lasting positive impact for the public.”
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The Shoal River Preserve is a mix of pine and hardwood woodland that covers more than 400 acres along the north shore of the Shoal River near Crestview. The preserve will be open to the public in the spring of 2026. It will offer hiking, kayaking, and birdwatching opportunities, which will add to the increasing network of protected natural areas in north Okaloosa County.
For more information, go to whyprescribedfire.org
