Residents of Plymouth, keep your windows closed and don't panic at the sight of smoke this week. The City of Plymouth has greenlit a series of prescribed burns in various prairie locales throughout the area. Beginning Monday, May 5, fire will be intentionally set to portions of our urban prairie in an effort to encourage the growth of native plants.
According to an article from the city's website, Prairie Restorations, the contractor responsible for wielding the flame, is expected to take around one week to grace us with their fiery touch. The burns will begin at Fairway Greens, Olive Pond, and Crooked Creek on Monday afternoon, while Lowe’s Berm and Vicksburg Crossing Pond are in line for a scorching later within the week, depending, of course, on the whims of Mother Nature.
For those not in the pyro-know, prescribed burns are a savvy way to manage land. The controlled fires gobble up dead vegetation, zap the soil with a bit of pre-summer warmth, and help perennials to pop from the ground a bit quicker. Prescribed burns are "routine maintenance activity that benefits native plantings," the city explains, giving the nod to fire as an ally rather than an adversary.
You might want to watch where that smoke is drifting, especially if you live or stroll near these burn sites. The city guarantees that a crew of pros will carefully manage the blazes, but it's smart to give them space to efficiently and safely do their burn thing. Should any of the locals still have their knickers in a twist over the specter of smoke, the Parks & Forestry Division is standing by at [email protected] or 763-509-5940 to completely assuage your fears or field your complaints. Remember, this is all in the name of ecological balance, not just a government-sponsored barbecue.
