Red Hills Fire Festival set for Sunday

Published 11:45 am Wednesday, February 15, 2017

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — If you have ever been curious about the role of fire in the pine forests around the community, don’t miss the Red Hills Fire Festival on February 19 at Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy off County Road 12 just south of the Georgia-Florida boarder. 

The all-ages Red Hills Fire Festival will include interpretive wagon tours of the woods, wildlife, live prescribed fire and equipment demonstrations, fire talks with experts, children’s activities, food trucks and live music. 

“We wanted to provide a fun and casual opportunity for people to come out and get more familiar with how safe and healthy forests are maintained by keeping the important role of fire,” Brian Wiebler, Red Hills outreach and education coordinator for Tall Timbers, said.

The event is being organized with support from the Georgia Prescribed Fire Council, North Florida Prescribed Fire Council, The Nature Conservancy, Longleaf Alliance, the National Prescribed Fire Training Center, Florida Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Many other local organizations also are participating in various event activities.

The festival was originally scheduled for Jan. 22, but was canceled to avoid the heavy rain and winds that hit South Georgia the same weekend. 

“The size of that storm made canceling an easy call, and the enthusiasm of our partners working on the festival made rescheduling just as clear,” Wiebler said.

Weather permitting, fire will be a big star at the Red Hills Fire Festival. Organizers have selected three areas near the festival site to be used in live demonstrations of how land mangers apply fire to safely improve and maintain natural habitat for area wildlife. Look for the raffle booth for an opportunity to join the team of certified burners for one of the demonstrations.

The Red Hills Fire Festival is part of a growing effort by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy to help raise public awareness about the many values of the Red Hills Region and efforts to conserve this special place, Wiebler said.

“Public understanding and support are important parts of a long-term conservation approach. We hope the festival is a chance to connect with new people, share some information, and listen,” he said.

If you go

• What: Red Hills Fire Festival

• When: Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Where: Tall Timbers, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive

• More Information: www.TallTimbers.org