Emergency personnel responded May 25 to a brush fire that covered a 50-by-150-foot area in Cortez.
The fire leveled vegetation and scorched trees 1,000 feet into woods from Cortez Road, near a homeless camp within the FISH Preserve.
“Unfortunately it destroyed some trees. It was slow burning, but it was an intense heat,” said Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage president Kim McVey.
Chris Kiernan, battalion chief with the West Manatee Fire Rescue, said the cause of the fire is unknown. Firefighters were able to subdue the brush fire.
There were some trails leading back in that area that cordoned off the fire and prevented it from spreading, according to Kiernan.
FISH board members expressed concern at their June 1 meeting over the fire and intruders.
McVey said the unapproved camps pose a liability for the nonprofit that oversees the management and maintenance of the 90-plus acre preserve.
In response, five board members walked the preserve June 3 to survey the damage and ask the squatters to leave.
“The whole premise is for people to go out and enjoy it, you just can’t stay there. We originally had a couple (camping) spots and the idea was for Boy Scouts or groups to be able to use it, but not to live in,” said McVey.
The preserve also attracts people after heavy rains who go “mudding” in large trucks, dirt bikes and ATVs.
They also are unwelcome in the preserve.
At an impromptu meeting following the walk, board members discussed ideas to deal with trespassers without discouraging preserve visitors.
McVey said the group is ordering signs from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office that will allow officers to trespass people from the preserve.
McVey said other ideas are to add a railing along Cortez Road or fencing along the property line to discourage vehicles from driving on a dirt access road.
The FISH Preserve abuts private property and FISH would need to coordinate with the owner, McVey said.
“With the restoration, we need to be proactive and come up with ways so people don’t destroy it,” McVey said. “It’s just hard because you want people to be able to enjoy it, but you also want them to be responsible.”
FISH recently completed a large restoration project covering nearly three-quarters of the preserve. The work was paid for with a $250,000 grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Exotic vegetation was removed, new waterways sculpted and native plants were placed in the western portion of the preserve.
The restoration work comes with a responsibility to maintain it, McVey said, but also works to keep unwanted visitors away.
The restored sections are more open than the densely wooded eastern portion, deterring squatters and campers.
The new waterways also make it difficult for vehicles to enter the preserve. One access road was eliminated when the inlets were constructed.
McVey said FISH hopes to install bridges, trails, boardwalks and possibly an observation platform — all of which are dependent on obtaining grant money.
She said she also envisions trails large enough for golf carts to allow people with mobility issues to experience the preserve.
Board members found three unauthorized campsites in the preserve and asked the people to leave. McVey said members will be vigilant about walking the preserve to check for campers, fires and areas where people are bringing vehicles into the property.
“We’re going to be more proactive about going out there more often,” said McVey. “It’s big. When you get out there, you have to remember where you were.”