SARASOTA COUNTY - Sarasota County's Fire Fest returns on Saturday, Jan. 24 to educate and inform the community about the importance of prescribed fire to the ecosystem and explore wildfire prevention.
Throughout the event at T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve, staff from Sarasota County's Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources and Emergency Services departments, along with partners from several agencies, will demonstrate why the county schedules prescribed burns, the benefits of fire to native habitats and wildlife and how the county manages wildfire. Due to ongoing drought conditions the county will not be conducting prescribed fire demonstrations this year.
Sarasota County continues its commitment of environmental stewardship by sharing the value of prescribed burns in protecting public lands and surrounding areas through Fire Fest.
The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice, and will also feature local exhibitors, games for children and light refreshments.
For the safety and comfort of all attendees, only service dogs are permitted at this event.
EVENT INFO:
WHAT: Sarasota County's Fire Fest.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24
WHERE: T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve, 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice.
Event Schedule:
10 a.m.: Event opens. Hayrides run every 30 minutes during the event.
11 a.m.: Sarasota K9 Search and Rescue demonstration.
11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Demonstrations from Sarasota County Wildfire Mitigation.
2 p.m.: Event ends.
Journalists interested in attending are asked to RSVP to news@scgov.net so interviews can be arranged.
For more information or to learn about prescribed burns, call 311 or visit scgov.net.