Fire at Green Swamp East Preserve Impacting Wesley Chapel Air Quality

Wesley Chapel, FL – Residents of Wesley Chapel are experiencing smoky conditions due to a large prescribed burn conducted today at the Green Swamp East Preserve. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) conducted the 4,025-acre aerial prescribed fire, along with several smaller fires conducted by other agencies in the area.

While SFWMD staff have completed their work for the day, a shift in wind direction is potentially carrying smoke into some Wesley Chapel communities. The SFWMD has been conducting prescribed burns in the Green Swamp area since Tuesday without incident, making today’s smoke impact an unforeseen circumstance.

Pasco County officials have also acknowledged the presence of smoke in eastern and central Pasco County due to these prescribed burns. They advise residents to anticipate dense smoke conditions for the remainder of the day.

The SFWMD notes that these controlled burns, while potentially causing temporary inconvenience, are a crucial preventative measure against the spread of uncontrolled wildfires, similar to those that have recently devastated areas of California. These prescribed fires help reduce the buildup of flammable vegetation, minimizing the risk of larger, more destructive wildfires.

The SFWMD typically posts notifications of planned prescribed burns on X (formerly Twitter) the morning of the burn.

For further information and ongoing updates on local news and events in Wesley Chapel, residents are encouraged to visit the Wesley Chapel Community Website at www.WesleyChapelCommunity.com. Stay connected with your community by following the Wesley Chapel Community Website on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/wesleychapelflorida/), X (https://twitter.com/wesleychapel), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/wesleychapelfl/).