Prescribed burns planned in the Minneapolis park system this spring

Trails remain open through the area

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is conducting seasonal prescribed burns in several areas of the park system this spring. See below for a list of parks and locations, along with details on this management tool for natural areas and how the public may be affected.

Prescribed burns may take place over several weeks or even months. Timing depends on weather and environmental conditions on a specific day, and approved ranges for these conditions outlined in a “burn prescription.” These include:

• wind speed and direction
• humidity levels and cloud cover
• temperature

Prescribed burns are prohibited during air quality alerts or burning restrictions issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency or Department of Natural Resources.

Prescribed Burn Locations – Spring 2026

North Minneapolis

Shingle Creek prairie – North of 52nd Ave. N. along Shingle Creek Regional Trail

North Mississippi Regional Park

• “Middle prairie” – south of Kroening Nature Center and east of I-94
• “South prairie” – slightly north of 42nd Ave N and immediately east of I-94

Theodore Wirth Regional Park

• Woodland unit west of The Trailhead, east of Twin Lake, south of Regency Hospital
• Multiple woodland units near the Quaking Bog and Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
• Prairie unit east of JD Rivers Children’s Garden, along Glenwood Ave west of Bassett Creek

Southwest Minneapolis

Cedar Lake Prairie – north of Cedar Lake along Cedar Lake Regional Trail

Lake Harriet Park

• Prairie “swale” along East Lake Harriet Parkway pedestrian/bike trails

South Minneapolis

Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park

• Nokomis Prairie – northeast of Lake Nokomis, adjacent to East Minnehaha Parkway

Mississippi Gorge Regional Park

• “Lena Smith Savanna” – north of 36th St between Lena Smith Boulevard and West River Parkway
• “36th St Savanna” – along the Mississippi River between 36th and 37th streets

Minnehaha Regional Park

• Longfellow Prairie – adjacent to Minnehaha Creek and southwest of Longfellow Gardens

“East Deer Pen” – directly west of Wabun Picnic Area

Public Impacts

People who live or work in buildings within 500 feet of a planned prescribed-burn area should receive a postcard notification, with the option to receive timely email updates before the prescribed burn takes place.

Prior to a burn and upon its completion, the MPRB obtains all required permits and notifies City of Minneapolis 911, MPRB Park Police and MPRB Customer Service.

During a prescribed burn, MPRB staff with training in prescribed fire operations conduct the burns, with required fire control equipment on site for safety.

People in or near the area may smell or see smoke or flames. Depending on the location, adjacent pedestrian/bike paths or parkways may close temporarily during active fire operations.

About Prescribed Burns

MPRB uses prescribed burns as a management tool in natural areas, as well as some park and garden areas, to maintain healthy habitat for native plants and wildlife.
Prescribed burns can suppress the growth of invasive plants that could otherwise take over an area and outcompete desirable native wildflowers and grasses.

MPRB deliberately burns smaller areas within a location in successive years. This preserves plant material from year to year that can sustain birds, bats, insects and other pollinators.

More information on prescribed burns and other ways MPRB manages natural areas in the park system