CRESTVIEW, Fla. — Okaloosa County has announced prescribed burns will begin later this week and continue through February at Shoal River Preserve in northeast Okaloosa County.
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The Okaloosa County Land Resources Division of Destin-Fort Walton Beach is coordinating the burns with the Florida Forest Service, Okaloosa County Public Safety, and local fire departments, including North Okaloosa, Crestview, and Dorcas fire departments.
The operation is expected to cover about 400 acres of the preserve. The work is weather-dependent, and residents nearby may notice minimal smoke impacts, according to Okaloosa County.
“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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Prescribed fire is widely used across Florida as a land management tool. County officials said clearing overgrowth helps reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires that can threaten homes and communities.
Officials said prescribed burns also help protect firefighters by reducing heavy vegetation that can fuel larger, harder-to-control wildfires. Maintaining forests through controlled burns can reduce the severity of future fires and make them easier to contain.
The burns are also designed to support native wildlife habitats. Prescribed fire can create openings in vegetation, improve nutrient availability, and promote new plant growth, benefiting many species.
County officials said prescribed fire allows crews to select safer weather conditions and specific areas to burn, unlike wildfires, which often occur during dangerous conditions and produce heavier smoke.
For additional information about prescribed fire and its benefits, visit whyprescribedfire.org.
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Shoal River Preserve spans approximately 408 acres of mixed pine and hardwood forest along the north shore of the Shoal River near Crestview. The property was purchased using tourism revenue and is expected to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for hiking, paddling, and bird watching.
Okaloosa County has announced the preserve is expected to open to the public in spring 2026.
