Prescribed Burns

Prairies, savannas and some fire-dependent woodlands in the Minneapolis park system are typically scheduled for burning once every three to five years (woodlands may be burned on a longer rotation).

In the absence of fire, shrubs and trees invade grassland plant communities and ultimately turn these natural areas into forests over time.

Prescribed Fire Planning and Safety

The MPRB carefully manages prescribed burns to ensure the safety of fire staff and the public.

• MPRB staff with federal wildland fire certifications and experience plan and supervise most prescribed fires on MPRB land. (Some prescribed fires may be facilitated through outside contractors; these burns are planned and managed by the contractor’s staff.).
• MPRB obtains permits for prescribed burns through the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
• MPRB’s prescribed burn plans follow well-established best practices regarding safe weather conditions; these weather conditions are listed in burn plans which are then approved by the MN DNR.
• Burn plans also specify the minimum staff and equipment required to ignite, control and suppress fire safely.
• Prescribed burns only take place when staffing, equipment availability and weather conditions onsite match those in the DNR-approved prescription.
• We mail postcards to property owners near the burn site to notify them in advance of the burn.

Prescribed burns are a preferred method of vegetation management in native prairie areas and can be used as a management tool for other vegetation types as well. However, weather, air quality alerts, staff and equipment availability, permits from multiple agencies, and traffic control needs are all determining factors in implementing a prescribed burn in an urban area. These limitations frequently prevent prescribed burns from being used consistently.