MnDOT ‘Prescribed Burns’ Taking Place in Southeast Minnesota

The old adage says that where there's smoke, there's fire, which is usually true. And although you may see smoke along several highways throughout southeast Minnesota recently, you don't have to be alarmed.

The smoke you see these days might be due to several 'prescribed burns' the Minnesota Department of Transportation is doing along various areas across southeast Minnesota. According to this MnDOT release, a 'prescribed burn' is a way of helping native prairie vegetation grow by getting rid of dense brush. That, in turn, helps reduce the amount of mowing needed, which saves us all money.

Prescribed burns also help to keep roadways and highways safe, the release noted, saying, "They are done to promote native prairie vegetation growth and control weeds and brush. Burning serves as a safety measure. Prescribed fire is used to control brush and small trees near the roadway, which would otherwise become safety hazards. Fire promotes tall native grasses and forbs that trap blowing snow and prevent it from drifting across the road."

One prescribed burn took place Wednesday morning along Highway-52 near Harmony, with another burn set to take place Thursday morning along I-90 near Eyota. The release said other burns this spring include:

• Highway 56 between Rose Creek and Leroy in Mower County
• Interstate 35 by Clarks Grove in Freeborn County
• Highway 218 between Austin and Owatonna in Mower and Steele counties