HOBE SOUND- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is conducting a prescribed, or controlled burn at Johnathan Dickinson State Park on Wednesday.

The burn is expected to last from around 10:30 AM until 3:00 PM.

DEP workers are conducting the burn at the Scrub Jay Campsite and around 17 acres of pine flatwoods will be affected

Prescribed burns are a regular occurrence and are done in order to mimic naturally occurring fires which help restore forests to a natural state.

Such fires also help eliminate combustible undergrowth which if left unchecked could lead to a serious, uncontrolled fire.