Staff from NASA Kennedy's Spaceport Integration Directorate oversaw two prescribed burns conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The larger burn affected about 1,400 acres on the northeast corner of the center, known as Happy Creek, a key habitat for the federally protected Florida scrub-jay. The other prescribed burn affected a 1,200-acre section east of Kennedy Parkway and south of the center's industrial zone. Historically, the center paused launch operations when using fire as a land management tool within NASA Kennedy's secure area or the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Prior to the burns, Kennedy officials reviewed the forecast, and safety remained paramount, with the Space Operations Office working directly with the Fish and Wildlife Service and launch mission partners.
The launch cadence is expected to continue climbing in the years to come, and weather conditions, especially during Florida's dry season, are a critical factor for prescribed burns. Greg Gaddis, senior operations manager for the spaceport, said that as more launches occur, the need for proper land management has never been greater and new ways must be found to reduce fire fuel while keeping pace with launch needs. The specific launch during the burn has not been disclosed, and the effect on launch operations remains unclear.