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Controlled burns will take place at various sites in mid-April

[DULUTH, MN] Duluth Fire Department and Duluth Parks Maintenance staff will conduct controlled burns on various small parcel sites in mid-April to knock back weeds, encourage native plants to thrive, and enrich the soil. In addition, Duluth Fire will be able to use the opportunity to train their staff in wildland firefighting techniques.

The locations of the prescribed/controlled burns are:

1.        Chamber's Grove Park

2.        Piedmont Park

3.        Roadside near Arlington soccer fields

4.        Linear Pollinator Garden along the Lakewalk in Canal Park

5.        Linear Pollinator Garden near Pier B

Each site will take approximately one to two hours to burn and will only occur if weather conditions are right for a successful prescribed fire.

Controlled burns, also known as prescribed burns or prescribed fire, is a land management strategy that uses the controlled application of fire to support healthy ecosystems. In this case, the goal of the burn is to reduce undesirable and invasive plants in these meadows, such as purple loosestrife and buckthorn, and encourage the re-growth and vitality of native perennials and grasses, such as little bluestem and black-eyed susan.

The City of Duluth continues to make efforts to provide habitat for pollinators as certain applications and circumstances negatively impact pollinator populations. Native wildflower meadows provide habitat, nesting sites and food for myriad species of bees, moths, and butterflies. Residents can help these pollinators by planting native flowers and grasses on their own property, such as milkweed or native wildflower seed mixes.

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