1/20/2024 0 Comments Burn bright burn blue t shirtIn 1971, many still abided by Smokey the Bear’s famous slogan “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.” The common belief was that all forest fires were undesirable. “At that time, for a Florida Park leader to place his trust in a woman's expertise and for her to be the one to light that match and lead a team of veteran park service employees who had never burned - much less taken orders from a female fire boss - was remarkable. Betty and Jim were ahead of their time in adopting and teaching the use of prescribed fire." Winter fires versus growing season fires "Of all the fires that Betty lit in her lifetime to teach others about the ecological importance of fire - at Birdsong, at Tall Timbers, out West and in national parks all around the world - that first Florida State Park burn may have meant the most to her,” writes Kathleen Brady, current executive director at Birdsong Nature Center. Park superintendent Frank Chesley rakes pine straw during the first official prescribed fire at Falling Waters State Park in 1971. Komarek was the only one with experience in prescribed fire, so she served as the first ever burn boss at a Florida state park.Īs Stevenson recalled, Komarek gave the orders and the rest of the team followed. Chesley and his rangers were reluctant at first but agreed to participate. The crew consisted of Betty Komarek, a professor from California State University, Stevenson, park superintendent (as they were called then) Frank Chesley and two park rangers. The ecosystem was already in pretty good shape with excellent wiregrass. They selected Falling Waters State Park because it was easy, simple and safe. Jim convinced his supervisors in Tallahassee to approve the idea of the ecological burn for resource management. Ed promoted the used of prescribed fire internationally and, along the way, became a friend and mentor to Jim Stevenson, the chief naturalist for Florida’s state parks.Įd regularly spoke with Jim about the ecological benefits of prescribed fire. Ed and Betty Komarek owned Birdsong Plantation, a center for conservation and learning in Thomasville, Ga., and Ed worked just a few miles north of Tallahassee at Tall Timbers Research Station. In 1971, it was not uncommon for some private land holders to regularly conduct prescribed fire. "We are also grateful that the Governor and Legislature provide adequate funds for good conservation land management.” The first prescribed fire in 1971 Credit goes to our well-trained staff and our land management agency partners," said Eric Draper, director of Florida State Parks. “Our prescribed fire program keeps people and property safe and maintains important wildlife habitat. The park service’s prescribed fire program has evolved over the years, expanding with and adjusting to new land acquisitions, new training requirements, new personal protective equipment, fire line equipment, uniforms and new safety considerations. Now, however, we know that approximately 300,000 acres – a remarkable 42% of the land within Florida’s state parks – need prescribed fire for ecosystems to thrive and to guard against potential wildfires. Back then, we didn’t count the number of acres that depended on fire. Today, there are 175 state parks and trails that encompass nearly 800,000 acres. In 1971, the system of state parks consisted of 97 units over 211,182 acres.
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