Pasco Burn Specialist on Florida's Wildfire Surge

Prescribed burns are key to managing Florida's pyric ecosystems, but drought and hurricanes have limited their use.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:13pm

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A dramatic landscape painting depicting a massive wildfire burning through a dense Florida forest, with the flames and smoke dwarfing the physical structures and objects within the scene.A raging wildfire consumes the primeval forests of Florida, exposing the state's vulnerability to catastrophic natural disasters.Hernando Today

Florida has seen a surge in wildfires in 2026, with over 35,000 acres burning in the Big Cypress National Preserve in February and a 100-acre blaze in Hernando County in late March. Brian Pinson, a certified Florida Burn Manager and Pasco County Parks site supervisor, explains how officials use controlled burns to create firebreaks and manage the state's fire-dependent ecosystems. However, a lack of prescribed burns in recent years due to flooding and drought has left the state more vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires.

Why it matters

Florida's natural habitats have evolved to depend on periodic fires, but uncontrolled wildfires can be devastating. Prescribed burns are a critical tool for managing these pyric ecosystems, promoting biodiversity and reducing fuel loads. However, extreme weather events have limited the ability to conduct these controlled burns, leading to a buildup of vegetation that heightens wildfire risk.

The details

To contain wildfires, officials try to create a 'box' using natural barriers like roads and canals as a line of defense. When responding to the Big Cypress fire, Pinson's team was tasked with starting a counterfire near these barriers to rob the wildfire of oxygen and fuel. This 'fighting fire with fire' approach is designed to eliminate the fuel source as the wildfire approaches. Pinson has 22 years of experience with prescribed burns and 15 years in wildfire response, and he has seen firsthand how these controlled burns can restore ecosystems by promoting biodiversity and reducing invasive species.

  • In February 2026, over 35,000 acres in South Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve burned.
  • In late March 2026, a wildfire burned over 100 acres of preserve land near Hernando Beach, Florida, forcing many residents to evacuate.

The players

Brian Pinson

A certified Florida Burn Manager and Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources site supervisor for Crews Lake Wilderness Park. Pinson is a striking team leader and engine boss who has responded to wildfires across the nation.

Big Cypress National Preserve

A national preserve in South Florida that experienced a large wildfire in February 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Our job was, if we needed to, to fight fire with fire.”

— Brian Pinson, Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources site supervisor

“Prescribed fires are very beneficial. Wildfires are a byproduct of not having prescribed fire ... They're just going to sweep through, and they're catastrophic.”

— Brian Pinson, Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources site supervisor

What’s next

Pinson predicts that the dry conditions will continue to limit the ability to conduct prescribed burns, leaving Florida more vulnerable to destructive wildfires in the future.

The takeaway

Responsible use of controlled burns is crucial for managing Florida's fire-dependent ecosystems, but extreme weather events have disrupted this practice in recent years, leading to a buildup of vegetation and heightened wildfire risk across the state.