BOYNTON BEACH  — Fire management officials from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service are planning to conduct a prescribed burn on 6,500 acres in the southwest interior of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge for the purposes of hazardous fuels reduction that will also improve habitat and aid in the management of invasive species. We will be conducting prescribed burning operations weather permitting on Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12, 2026. Smoke will be readily visible from areas in western Palm Beach County. Wind direction is predicted to move west carrying smoke away from populated areas.

Prescribed fire is the burning of vegetation based on a prescription that takes into consideration fuel type, fuel moisture, relative humidity, air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and other atmospheric conditions to ensure a safe and successful burn. According to Brian Pippin, Assistant Fire Management Officer, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, “All prescribed fires must have approved plans and meet set criteria authorized by agency fire experts.” The prescribed burn will also comply with all State of Florida open burning regulations. U.S. Wildland Fire Service staff will conduct the burns in cooperation with Florida Division of Forestry and Palm Beach County Fire and Rescue.

The objectives of the A.R.M. Loxahatchee Fire Management Program are 1) to provide protection to private property and human lives against uncontrolled wildfires that may result from un-managed fire-maintained vegetative communities through vegetative fuel reduction, 2) to provide protection to both natural and constructed Refuge resources from catastrophic wildfires through fuel reduction, 3) to maintain biological diversity in fire-maintained plant communities by prescribed fire and 4) to maintain habitat for Service trust resources, including endangered and threatened plant and animal species through prescribed fire.

The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge was established under a License Agreement with the South Florida Water Management District in 1951 as an inviolate sanctuary for migratory birds. The vision of the Refuge is to serve as an outstanding showcase for ecosystem management that restores, protects, and enhances a portion of the unique north Everglades biological community. This public asset provides for the enjoyment and enhanced quality of life for present and future generations. To learn more about the Refuge visit:

www.fws.gov/refuge/arm_loxahatchee/. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ARMLoxahatcheeNWR/.