Canaveral National Seashore is planning to implement prescribed burn operations in the area of Klondike Beach. This is a twelve-mile stretch of beach located between Playalinda Beach and Apollo Beach. The prescribed burn plan was developed in accordance with Canaveral National Seashore’s Fire Management Plan to support the park’s structural protection plan while allowing the fire to play its natural role in the environment.
Weather permitting, ignition operations are expected in April - May 2022. The target burn window is only an estimate and may change depending on environmental conditions, national preparedness level, Superintendent's approval, and resource availability. The project area includes 2 units for a total area of 3,200 acres.
There may be short traffic delays during the time of the burn. For the duration of the burn, Apollo Beach parking area five and Playalinda Beach parking area thirteen will be closed. No backcountry hiking permits will be issued during the event due to the backcountry hiking area being the primary area of this prescribed burn.
The burn will employ prescribed fire in order to reduce hazardous fuels in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), protect structures and cultural resources adjacent to the burn unit, and promote a healthy fire frequency. This will be a joint operation with Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose is to reduce unnaturally high levels of fuel that could ignite from lightning strikes during the summer. The operation will also improve the habitat for protected species such as gopher tortoise, Southeastern beach mouse, and eastern indigo snake.
