David R. Godwin
0000-0003-3770-4506

staff

Publications

Hurricane and Tropical Storm Impacts on Prescribed Fire and Wildfire Management Practices

David R. Godwin, Breanne Ward, Jennifer E. Fawcett, Gary C. Wood, and Raelene M. Crandall

Hurricanes and tropical storms can significantly alter forested and non-forested areas, creating unique hazards and considerations for wildland firefighters and prescribed burners. Prior to responding to wildfires and planning prescribed fires, fire managers should anticipate how these changes will affect fire behavior, smoke, hazards, and access to the fire.

Resources for Prescribed Fires on Private Lands in Florida

Raelene M. Crandall,Brier Ryver, David R. Godwin, Shelly A. Johnson, Alicia Halbritter, and Ludie A. Bond

Fire is an integral part of the Florida landscape. But what resources exist to support our private landowners who want to incorporate prescribed fires into their management plans? Without a team of skilled professionals on the payroll, safety and fire knowledge are of utmost importance to anyone wanting to ignite prescribed fires on their land. This publication aims to connect Florida landowners with the resources they need for prescribed burning, from planning to ignition to mop up and declaring a fire out. Resources are presented for local, boots-on-the-ground help, as well as training and regional information. Although this is not a comprehensive list, it will guide private landowners who wish to manage their properties with prescribed fire.

See Smoke? Smell Smoke? Be in the Know.

Raelene M. Crandall, Lara Milligan, Ludie A. Bond, David R. Godwin, and Phillip D. Rodgers

Smoke in the air may come from prescribed fires, wildfires, or burning trash. Prescribed fires are planned and set by trained professionals to keep forests healthy, support wildlife, and lower the risk of wildfires. Wildfires, by contrast, are unplanned and uncontrolled. They can create a great deal of smoke, especially in areas that haven’t burned for years. Smoke from any fire can be harmful to breathe, but websites like Whyprescribedfire.org and the Florida Forest Service Fire Response Viewer, as well as tools such as the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the AirNow digital app, help people monitor area fires and air quality; make smart choices; and stay safe on smoky days.

Where There's Fire, There's Smoke: Air Quality and Prescribed Burning in Florida

Martha C. Monroe, Austin K. Dixon, David R. Godwin, Adam C. Watts, and Leda N. Kobziar

Prescribed burning, the carefully planned and directed use of fire to achieve land management goals, is a useful tool for natural resource managers in Florida. Landowners may choose fire to achieve a variety of objectives, including restoring fire-dependent ecosystems, enhancing forage for cattle, improving wildlife habitat, preparing sites for reforestation, and reducing hazardous fuel loads. Prescribed burns achieve many benefits for the environment and for people, but they have the potential to impact the public via smoke. Smoke production is simply unavoidable with prescribed burning, but its potential to harm can be reduced with the use of smoke management techniques. Intended for land managers and the public, this document provides some background information on air quality, the effects of smoke on human health and safety, and some strategies that can be used to protect air quality.