Prescribed burns are a natural process to ensure ecosystem health and reduce the risk of wildfire
Join Hillsborough County Conservation & Environmental Lands Management for a day of fiery fun, where the science of prescribed fire meets family-friendly festivities.
The next Prescribed Fire Fest will take place on Feb. 21, 2026, at Edward Medard Conservation Park.
Event Highlights
- Live Fire Demonstration
- At 1:00 pm, watch the wildland fire crew conduct a live prescribed fire (weather permitting)
- Prescribed Fire Education
- Visit the Fire Education Base Camp to learn how fuels, weather, and topography interact with fire and how land managers use this to plan prescribed burns
- Watch a Sandbox Demonstration to learn how prescribed fires work from a bird's-eye-view using miniatures in a sandbox
- Kids Games and Activities
- Kids can test their firefighting skills through a series of free games and activities. They can even earn their own Junior Wildland Firefighter helmet!
- Equipment Demonstrations
- Get up close and personal with the heavy equipment and specialized tools used in prescribed fires.
To learn more about prescribed fire, or to sign up for Prescribed Burn Notifications, visit HCFL.gov/RxFire