WAKULLA COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — The U.S. Forest Service is prescribed burning more than 1,000 acres in the Apalachicola National Forest Thursday.

The 1,432-acre burn will be conducted in Wakulla County west of Forest Road 344, north of Forest Road 309, south of Brown House Hunt Camp.

Fire officials say the burn will improve wildlife habitat, eliminate vegetation build up and reduce the threat of wildfires.

People are reminded that the smoke they may see Thursday and Friday in this vicinity is not coming from a wildfire. Motorists are cautioned to drive slowly with lights on while traveling in smoky areas. Drivers should be particularly cautious in areas where prescribed fires have taken place when it is foggy. Morning fog can mix with smoke and decrease visibility further.

This is one of many prescribed burns the Apalachicola National Forest is doing during the 2020 prescribed burning season. Wednesday’s burn is in burn unit 242 (see the Apalachicola’s planned burn map): http://bit.ly/2NdlE34