Florida has been using prescribed burns as part of its efforts to manage the Burmese python population in the Everglades. In December 2025, crews from the Florida Forest Service conducted controlled fires designed to flush out the invasive snakes, which have become a significant ecological problem in the region.

The technique relies on removing the thick vegetation and thatch where pythons typically hide. Once that cover is gone, the snakes are forced to move into open areas where they can be located and removed. During a burn in Palm Beach County in April 2025, land managers observed multiple snakes emerging from the fire zone, providing a clearer picture of how widespread the infestation has become.

The scale of the python population is difficult to measure precisely. Estimates range from tens of thousands to more than one hundred thousand snakes, but no reliable count exists. What is clearer is the impact they have had on native wildlife. In heavily affected areas, populations of marsh rabbits, raccoons, and opossums have dropped by as much as 99 percent. The loss of these mammals has disrupted the food web, including prey availability for species such as the Florida panther.

The origins of the problem trace back several decades. During the 1980s and 1990s, Burmese pythons were sold as exotic pets in South Florida. They were small when purchased, but they grow steadily and can reach lengths of ten feet or more. As they became harder to manage, some owners released them into the wild. Hurricane Andrew in 1992 also caused significant damage to breeding facilities and pet shops, which allowed a large number of snakes to escape at once.

The Everglades provided a favorable environment for the snakes. It is warm, wet, and offers abundant prey, with no natural predators capable of controlling the python population. Alligators have occasionally fought with pythons, but the snakes have generally thrived without significant natural checks on their numbers.

Controlled burns are conducted with careful planning. The National Park Service schedules these operations months in advance, looking for conditions where humidity and wind will keep the fire manageable and smoke away from roads. The burns typically take place during the dry season, between December and May, when water levels are low. The primary purpose is to reduce the buildup of dead plant material, but in python-heavy areas the strategy also includes exposing the snakes to improve hunting conditions for removal contractors.

In some operations, helicopters are used for aerial ignition. They drop chemical balls that ignite on contact, allowing crews to cover thousands of acres in a single afternoon. Large projects, such as one covering more than 150,000 acres, have been carried out as part of broader land management efforts. These burns also help clear invasive plants and restore natural water flow.

The burns are not without risk for the people involved. The terrain is uneven limestone, often hidden under ash, and smoke can disorient ground crews. The snakes themselves, when forced out of hiding, can also pose a danger. Still, the approach has become a standard part of the state’s python control program.

The long-term effectiveness of the burn strategy remains an open question. The python population is well established, and each female can lay up to one hundred eggs per year. Those working on the problem acknowledge that complete eradication is unlikely. The immediate goal is to reduce numbers and limit the damage to native wildlife.