The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service is observing Prescribed Fire Awareness Week from Jan. 27-Feb. 2. Prescribed fires mimic naturally occurring fires and can help prevent devastating wildfires. Park staff, guided by detailed plans called prescriptions, conduct prescribed burns as a regular and important part of their land management activities in state parks and trails. Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk. Many state parks and trails will be conducting prescribed burns in the coming months.