Johnston Homeowner Assocations Sponsor Prescribed Burns

Smoke filled the air last Thursday as Green Meadows West and Ashton Pointe Homeowners Associations held prescribed burns.

The  organized burns were paid for by the Associations and factor in as an important part of maintenance to respre prairie areas.

Prescribed burns follow detailed burn plans. Weather conditions and public information within the neighborhoods are an important part of the plans. Two burn crews were coordinated by Paul Bockenstedt. Bockenstedt is an ecologist with Stantec (formerly Bonestroo) in Mineapolis, Minn. He and his crews are trained professionals.

Deb Schiel-Larson, planner and lanscape architect for the city of Johsnton said the city has known and worked with Bockenstedt for many years. 

"The conditions were nearly perfect this morning and their careful planning paid off," she said in an email. "Most of the smoke on their first site in Green Meadows West went nearly straight up."