Prairie Burn Tentatively Scheduled for Today

If you see fire and smoke today along Hickman Road, don’t be alarmed. Weather permitting, the Urbandale Fire Department and Polk County Public Works Department will burn prairie between noon and 5 p.m.

The burn will take place on approximately two acres of prairie behind the Deerfield Retirement Community, 13731 Hickman Road.

Prairie burns are an important management practice, according to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and are beneficial when restoring or reconstructing prairie. Burns can help weed out exotic plants that are not indigenous to Iowa and can put prairie at risk, especially young or degraded prairie.

Questions about the burn permit may be directed to Fire Marshall Jon Rech at (515) 278-3970.

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