News Releases

21Jul
Controlled Burn Scheduled for C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir
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News Release

For Immediate Release

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

LITHIA, Fla. (July 21, 2025) – Tampa Bay Water plans to conduct a prescribed burn on the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir property (Chito Branch Reserve) on Tuesday, July 22nd, on the West Pruitt mitigation area just east of Hobson-Simmons Road. The burn unit is located 1.5 miles from the reservoir and totals about 80.4 acres. 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 a.m. and should be finished by 3:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Water contacts the Division of Forestry, the reservoir guard and Southwest Florida Water Management District 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.

About Tampa Bay Water
Tampa Bay Water is the largest wholesale water supplier in Florida, providing high-quality drinking water to its members, who in turn, supply water to more than 2.6 million residents of the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Water member governments include Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties and the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa. To learn more, visit tampabaywater.org.