Prescribed Burn Notification
The South Florida Water Management District plans to conduct a prescribed burn of approximately 384 acres at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Management Area in Osceola County today, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The burn is located at the Gardner-Cobb Marsh Unit along the east side of the Short Canal between Cypress Lake and Lake Kissimmee. Smoke may be visible in the area of the burn as identified in the map here.
The Gardner-Cobb Marsh is located in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes watershed between Cypress Lake, Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee. Accessible only by boat or airboat, Gardner-Cobb Marsh is the largest District property in the Upper Chain of Lakes region.
Take in the pine flatwoods, swamps and wet prairie, where you can view wildflowers in the fall and spring. Rest in a shady oak hammock, explore the vast marsh on your airboat, or set up camp at a primitive campsite after you park your boat along the sandy shoreline. Hiking is best during the dry season.
Hunting is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Visit myfwc.com for hunting dates, regulations and detailed license information.
For more information, please call the District Recreation Hotline at 866-433-6312 or email recreation@sfwmd.gov.
Directions
This area is only accessible from the water. The closest boat ramp is located on the east side of Cypress Lake:
- Cypress Lake: 3301 Lake Cypress Rd., Kenansville, FL 34739.
Other nearby boat ramps include:
- Port Hatchineha: 15050 Lake Hatchineha Rd., Haines City, FL 33844.
- Camp Mack: 14900 Camp Mack Rd., Lake Wales, FL 33898.
- Joe Overstreet Landing: 4900 Joe Overstreet Rd., Kenansville, FL 34739.
- Coleman Landing: 1450 Shady Oak Dr., Lake Wales, FL 33898.
You can find additional information on boat ramps in the region by visiting the FWC Boat Ramp Finder.
