Watch CBS News

Fire: Mother Nature's Spring Cleaning

Big Cypress Fire
Mother Nature's Spring Cleaning

Ok, so it's not earth shattering news, just an interesting observation. I'm out at Big Cypress National Preserve off the Tamiami Trail. (btw, really cool place!) Nearly 29,000 acres of Everglades have burned by a brush fire sparked by lightning.
When I was speaking to rangers we were talking about how fires like this are actually Mother Nature's version of Spring Cleaning! It happens every year that we get these big fires in the glades. Think about it, it burns off dead sawgrass making way for new, healthy growth. It gets rid of plants that don't belong here, maybe takes out some invadiing pythons...it's a win all the way around.
BUT...the concern is if the fires get out of control, that's when it becomes a problem. That's why the men an women who are fighting these fires should get such kudos from all of us.

It's kind of the same thing with hurricanes, there is a purpose in nature. Hurricanes fill Lake O, provide much needed rain for our aquifer and get rid of weak trees and branches. Again, the problem is if we're not prepared....So just a reminder...hurricane season is just a couple weeks away...GET PREPARED!!

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.