OUC Conducts Annual Prescribed Burn

Annual burns support environmental growth and sustainability

ORLANDO, Fla. – Today, OUC—The Reliable One began a series of prescribed burns in the north section (Zone 1) at the Stanton Energy Center. These prescribed burns help reduce brush and vegetation buildup that can fuel wildfires. 

About 70 acres of vegetation are scheduled to be burned over the next few months, weather permitting. This work not only reduces hazardous fuel but also supports habitat restoration for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, a threatened species found in Central Florida and across the Southeast. OUC crews follow strict safety guidelines to ensure flames – typically no more than six inches off the ground – remain safely controlled.

The annual burns are required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Division of Forestry and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by recycling nutrients back into the soil, encouraging new plant growth, and supporting species with declining populations, including the Red-cockaded woodpecker.

Residents can learn more about how OUC protects wildlife and their habitats within the Stanton Energy Center’s 3,200-acre nature preserve by visiting OUC.com/Stanton. 

###

About OUC—The Reliable One
For more than 100 years, OUC—The Reliable One has provided exceptional value to its customers and community through the delivery of sustainable and reliable services and solutions. The utility provides electric, water, chilled water, lighting and solar services to more than 400,000 accounts in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties. As OUC prepares for the next century, it remains committed to a goal of achieving net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 while supporting the Central Florida community with conservation, sustainability and energy efficiency resources.Visit www.ouc.com to learn more.