Prescribed burn to char 400 acres in nature preserve south of Port Salerno in Martin County

MARTIN COUNTY — State environmental protection firestarters sparked a prescribed burn at Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park Thursday, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The burn is supposed to char 400 acres of pine flatwoods north of the Seawind Canal, a DEP news release said.

The 4,886-acre preserve is off Southeast Paulson Avenue south of Port Salerno and east of Interstate 95. It's between U.S. 1 and the South Fork of the St. Lucie River.

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Its sabal palms, live oak and wild coffee provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals.

The Florida Forest Service authorized the burn Thursday morning, said Miguel Nevarez, a spokesperson with the forest service.

"Prescribed burning mimics natural fire cycles to restore healthy forests and natural communities, reduce undergrowth that accumulates over time," he said in the news release.

The burns decrease the chances of wildfire and burned lands experience an increase in native wildflowers, birds and other wildlife, he said.

Mauricio La Plante is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm focusing on Martin County. Follow him on Twitter @mslaplantenews or email him at Mauricio.LaPlante@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Prescribed burn to char Atlantic Ridge State Park near Port Salerno