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The Southwest Florida Water Management District, which owns the sprawling tract, said some entrances and trails within the park might temporarily be closed on weekdays this month and in September to safely burn off some of the underbrush.

 

When the entrance at 13630 Morris Bridge Road is closed, allowing burns on the east side of the park, visitors may access Flatwoods Park through its Bruce B. Downs Boulevard entrance.

 

The park, part of the district's Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve, is northeast of Temple Terrace. The plan is to burn about 200 acres in small manageable fires. The burns are a part of routine maintenance of lands managed by the district.

 

District land manager Kevin W. Love said the burns are conducted to mimic natural fire cycles, but in a controlled manner. By burning off tangled and thick underbrush, the district hopes to avoid uncontrolled wildfires and enhance the area's natural conditions.

 

Controlled burns only are conducted when weather conditions allow.

 

Efforts are made to keep smoke away from nearby homes and highways. Still, motorists should be careful while driving on roads with reduced visibility.