The burn is scheduled for this morning (Feb. 29), weather permitting, at the Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve. The preserve will be closed during the burn.

PASCO COUNTY – The county’s natural resources division will be conducting a burn to reduce fuel levels, control invasive plants, and improve and restore wildlife habitat at the Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve.

The burn is expected to start about 10 a.m. today (Feb. 29), weather permitting. The preserve will temporarily be closed during the burn. About five acres are planned to be burned.

The 130-acre preserve, 17135 Minneola Drive in Spring Hill, is dominated by 69 acres of bottom land forest associated with the Pithlachascotee River and a small tributary – Ryals Branch – that crosses the site. The other natural communities are sandhill, upland mixed forest, and freshwater marshes. Protected wildlife species documented or likely to occur include the gopher tortoise, Florida mouse, gopher frog, little blue heron and snowy egret. The Preserve has five geocaches as well as 2 miles of trails including a 1,500 ft boardwalk.

This is a preserve, which differs from an active park by having low-impact amenities and natural resource based recreational facilities. The parking lot is packed shell and includes one ADA parking space. Nature trails are packed earth except for the wooden boardwalk. There are no asphalt or concrete surfaces. The building is open by appointment only, and when in use is wheelchair-accessible.

For information about the burn and the Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve, go to pasccountyfl.net.

Photo of Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve and map of burn area courtesy of Pasco County.

Pasco County | Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve | Spring Hill | Fire | TB Reporter

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