Osceola County is informing the community that a prescribed burn may take place Tuesday or Wednesday morning at Camp Lonesome Conservation Area in Kenansville. The decision will be made after checking the weather forecast each morning.
The 2,443-acre property is located at 4257 North Canoe Creek Road in Kenansville, south of St. Cloud and east of Canoe Creek Road, and is accessible by reservation only. The “Old Florida” landscape was previously used for cattle production.
In November 2007, Osceola County purchased the Camp Lonesome Conservation Area with funds from the Environmental Lands Conservation Program, formally known as Save Osceola.
Approximately 75 percent of the Camp Lonesome ecosystem is fire-dependent, meaning it requires prescribed fire to properly maintain the land. Fire allows for new vegetation growth and returns carbon to the soil, which enriches the soil for further growth. Prescribed fire also reduces the fire load, therefore reducing the threat of wildfires.
Safely-controlled prescribed fire techniques improve and maintain habitats for many wildlife species. Such fires are an effective management tool that reduces the risk of uncontrolled wildfire, improves access to the land, and provides better recreational opportunities while enhancing the beauty of the land.
