ORLANDO, Fla. – OUC—The Reliable One will conduct annual prescribed burns at the Stanton Energy Center (SEC) beginning the week of January 10, 2022. About 1,200 acres of vegetation are slated for burning in small, manageable units, through June 2022.

Required by the United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the burns are designed to maintain essential habitat necessary for the survival of the Endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker and other indigenous species. They also serve to reduce brush buildup (pine needles, leaves) that can contribute to wildfires, and help control competing vegetation, mitigate tree diseases and stimulate seed germination.

Pending weather conditions, burns will be scheduled intermittently on an as-needed, as-authorized, day-by-day basis between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Although soil conditions (wetness), wind and temperatures will determine when the burns will occur, OUC anticipates 25 individual burns to accomplish a 1,200-acre management plan goal. A map of the scheduled area will be available online once activity begins and will be updated accordingly.

OUC utilizes professionals specifically trained in prescribed burns, and is taking all necessary safety precautions to ensure a successful and controlled operation.

To learn more about prescribed burns and a map of the scheduled area, as well as how OUC manages the 3,200-acre nature preserve at the Stanton Energy Center, visit OUC.com/Stanton.