The plantations learned that in order to encourage quail and deer, they should cut down on the underbrush and the best most economical way to do controlled burns. It also cuts the chances of run away forest fires and since the hunting plantations harvest timber sometimes, they really want to keep their trees.

Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy (http://talltimbers.org/) is one of the leading research facilities in this area and has promoted controlled burns for years.

I wish more areas would research this way to reduce harmful fires. While it's inconvenient to have the burns happen just as the weather turns nice it's comforting to know that the thousands of acres of woodlands will not be destroyed by uncontrolled fires.

I was a driver back then and we (had an assistant) heard on the radio that I-75 was on fire but didn't know how bad it was burning. Let me tell you if there is a hell I just drove through it: both sides of the wilderness were ablaze and the grassy area that divides east and west was also lit. Had to turn off the A/C since the fumes were coming into the truck. It was the scariest ride I have ever driven. After we passed through they finally shut the thing down until the fires were under control. Had to pass by again two days later: the devastation to the area was immense. I wish that our elected officials took these things more seriously. These wild fires cost the state more money, man power, and possibly lives rather than the controlled route you've suggested. Sometimes I wish I didn't live here.