Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve Prescribed Burn (Carrick Avenue)

Project is located in Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve in southwest Escambia County, north of Jones Creek, adjacent to 1451 Carrick Avenue Pensacola, FL 32506.

Natural Resources Conservation Division will reduce the wildfire hazard by removing the excess vegetative fuel load inside the Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve. Project scope includes reducing the vegetative fuel load by prescribed burning 74+/- acres of a slash/longleaf pine stand.

Our prescribed burns are contracted to a Florida Certified Prescribed Burner at a rate agreed to by the county and with oversight by division staff. The certified burner is responsible for developing a burn prescription and making sure that the burn is carried out in a safe manner while meeting the objectives of the county. All personnel and equipment needed will be provided by the burner. Although the necessary fire lines are in place, it is the duty of the burner to make sure they are prepared prior to initiating a burn. The burner must remain onsite, post burn, to sufficiently mop up any hot spots and minimize potential residual smoke.

Project deadline for completion of prescribed burn is April 1, 2026.

Required Vendor Submissions:

• Florida Certified Prescribed Burner license
• Certificate of Insurance (COI) with all County requirements met
• W-9
• Sunbiz registration

The Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve consists of 1,388 acres located in the southwest section of Escambia County, Florida. The preserve is located within a developed mixed-use area that includes office, multifamily residential, commercial, and institutional land uses. The wetland preserve provides open space within this urban core and is part of a 2,700-acre watershed that flows into Jones Creek, Bayou Chico, and Pensacola Bay.

Upland Restoration
Potential upland restoration projects include reestablishing long leaf pine and wiregrass communities. This can be accomplished by utilizing fire ecology and thinning practices developed by the Florida Forest Service, as well as by revegetating the areas with native species. Periodic prescribed burning is required to control the understory vegetation and create the favorable conditions necessary for natural reseeding and wildlife habitat. Therefore, prescribed burning is an important management element of the Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve.

Project Location, Project Burn Area, and Contract Insurance Requirements are all under 'Attachments'