Burn Planned Tuesday In Everglades National Park

HOMESTEAD (CBSMiami) - Residents and drivers in southern Miami-Dade may get a whiff of smoke in the air on Tuesday.

Not to worry.

The Everglades National Park will be conducting the prescribed burn in an eastern section of the park through Wednesday, weather permitting.

The general location of the burn is along the eastern boundary of the park, west of Southwest 218 Avenue, and between Southwest 136 and 168 Streets. The planned burn area is about 2,475 acres in size.

The Florida Forest Service and South Florida Water Management District will be assisting.

Depending on weather patterns, smoke may be visible in the eastern portion of the park; however there should be no impact on roadways. In the evening, residents of Homestead or south Kendall are likely to see smoke and possibly some light ash from the fire. This is not unusual and should not cause concern.

The park service said prescribed burns are an important because they reduce the amount of potential fuel along the park boundary and burn exotic vegetation, including melaleuca, that has been treated by herbicides.