Kissimmee Prairie Hosts Aerial Ignition Training
In September 2003, staff from seven state parks gathered at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park to learn about aerial ignition techniques for prescribed fire. Aerial ignition requires a helicopter and an aerial ignition machine – in this case the PREMO Mark III. Much of the training takes place while the operator is perched in the open door of a low flying helicopter. The first day of the class focused on machine operation and trouble shooting. The second day of the training allowed state park staff to apply what they had learned while conducting a prescribed fire.
Staff from Savannas Preserve State Park assisted Kissimmee Prairie staff while class participants took turns operating the aerial ignition machine from the helicopter’s open door. The class and assisting staff were able to prescribe burn more than 4,900 acres that day.
Using aerial ignition as a prescribed fire technique allows park staff to burn larger areas in a shorter time interval, thereby improving the ability to manage potential smoke impacts to areas outside of the park. Each year the Florida Park Service uses aerial ignition to burn several thousand acres. State Parks where aerial ignition is utilized: Wekiwa Springs State Park, Tosohatchee State Reserve, Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park, Rock Springs Run State Reserve, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Myakka River State Park.
