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If the conservation areas are left unmanaged the accumulation of dead fuels and untreated new growth can create an undesirable effect, such as extreme fire behavior and habitat loss for the wildlife. Regular maintenance of preserves improves the chances for new growth. Otherwise, dead vegetation accumulates and causes fire danger to increase. These unmanaged areas force animals to forage outside their normal habitat. Regular food supplies run low for gopher tortoises and other species that rely on periodic fire to burn off the excess vegetation often found in these preserves. Large undeveloped properties owned by city, county, state or federal agencies might have set as these areas as preserves or natural areas. A management plan is needed to reduce the hazardous buildup of dead vegetation. The Florida Forest Service continues to work together with municipalities in Indian River County to educate and facilitate mitigation in identified high risk areas. A muck fire is a fire that consumes all the organic material of the forest floor and also burns into the underlying soil. It differs from a surface fire by being invulnerable to wind. If the fire gets deep into the ground, it could smolder for several years. In a surface fire, the flames are visible, and burning is accelerated by wind. Whereas in a muck fire, wind is not generally a serious factor (Canadian Soil Information System, 1996). Another extraordinary fact about muck fires has to do with their release of carbon dioxide. A peat bog that is on fire can release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than all the power stations and car engines emit in Western Europe in 1 year (Pearce, 1997). Historic Events. From 2014-2019, Indian River County has had 107 wildfires that have burned 3,119.8 acres. Lightning, non -authorized debris burning, children, or equipment were the most common ignition source for wildland fires in Indian River County (Florida Forest Service, 2019). Muck fires are not a frequent threat to Florida. However, during a drought in the 1980's, fires in the Everglades consumed the rich, dried out muck that had once been the bottom of the swamp. These fires burned deep into the ground and required alternative firefighting techniques. Muck fires occur very infrequently in Indian River County, and the only areas where this hazard Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 37