A huge mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke was spotted Wednesday near New Smyrna Beach, leading some beachgoers to believe a major “explosion” occurred near the beach.
But is this really what happened? There is no need to panic, according to beach officials.
Where is New Smyrna Beach, Florida?
New Smyrna Beach is a city in Volusia County, located 16 miles south of Daytona Beach.
Was there an explosion in Florida?
No, there wasn’t. New Smyrna Beach officials said the strange mushroom cloud came from a controlled burn miles away.
When residents and beachgoers saw a large cloud of smoke, some expressed their concerns on social media. One user wrote “explosion reported.”
According to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department, a large prescribed burn occurred the same day at the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. The beach is about 50 miles north of the refuge, located in neighboring Brevard County.
They also said they had not heard of any explosions in the area.
New Smyrna Beach Fire Chief Shawn VanDemark said there were “no reports of an explosion that I’m aware of.”
“I was in the office most of the day yesterday, so I think I would have known about it,” VanDemark said.
Although it is not under the department’s jurisdiction, VanDemark said he is aware of a controlled burn planned for Merritt Island.
The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge posted on Facebook that it is “planning a prescribed burn on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 23-24.”
“This burn will improve habitat for the endangered Florida scrub jay,” the post states.
What is a prescribed burn used for?
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture office, a prescribed burn is defined as the controlled application of fire by a team of fire experts under specified weather conditions. These fires are carried out under controlled conditions after careful planning.
The benefits of a prescribed burn or fire, also called controlled burning, would help reduce the risk of wildfires and restore the health of fire-dependent ecosystems. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission further states that it enhances aesthetic values by increasing the presence and visibility of flowering plants and maintaining open views.
The U.S. Forest Service estimates that 4,000 to 5,000 prescribed burns are conducted each year by federal land management agencies, and the agency says more than 99 percent of them are successful.
When do prescribed burns typically occur?
Most prescribed burns in Florida take place in winter and early spring.
Many officials follow the “40/60” rules for fires, meaning temperatures between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 degrees Fahrenheit are most ideal.
What happens to the land after a prescribed burn?
The National Geographic Society says land after fire can be “rejuvenated.”
“It returns nutrients from vegetation ashes to the soil that might otherwise take years to decompose. And after a fire, the extra sunlight and open space in a forest can help young trees and other plants to start growing,” NGS officials explain.
Staff writer Brenno Carillo contributed to this report.
