The prescribed burning program has been implemented on the county's natural resource lands to restore and maintain fire-dependent habitats. Prescribed burns are set to mimic natural fires which were historically set by lightning.

Prescribed burns help reduce the wildfire threat and maintain these habitats in a more natural condition. Some species such as gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jays and Sherman's fox squirrels are only found in open, grassy habitats that are maintained by fire.