News Releases

News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brandon Moore
bmoore@tampabaywater.org
(727) 791-2304 

LITHIA, Fla. (Aug. 15, 2025) – Tampa Bay Water plans to conduct a prescribed burn on the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir property (Chito Branch Reserve) on Friday, August 15 on the East Pruitt mitigation area just west of Hillsborough County Road 39. 

The burn unit is located adjacent to the reservoir, approximately 0.15 miles east and is 31 acres in size. The map below shows where the prescribed burn will take place.

A close-up map of the burn area's boundaries is below. 

Burning will start around 9:30 AM and should be finished by 3:00 PM. Tampa Bay Water contacts the Division of Forestry, the reservoir guard and SWFWMD ahead of the burn. Predicted weather conditions are good, and our burn crew is experienced and certified. 

Updates regarding specific control burns will be posted on Tampa Bay Water's social media pages.

Controlled burns are part of Tampa Bay Water’s land management program. The controlled burns at the regional reservoir are prescribed to remove nuisance plant species, encourage the growth of native species and decrease wildfire severity by reducing the amount of flammable vegetation on-site.

Prescribed burns are only conducted when weather conditions allow, and are conducted by certified, experienced personnel. Permits are obtained from the Florida Forest Service prior to initiating the burn. Efforts will be made to ensure that smoke will not affect nearby roads. However, vehicle operators should exercise caution in case smoke does lead to reduced visibility on the area’s roadways.