Controlled burns to occur at various sites in Duluth

The Duluth Fire Department and Duluth Parks Maintenance will conduct controlled burns on areas around Duluth. According to city officials, staff will conduct the controlled burns mid-April to help knock back weeds and encourage native plants to grow. The burns also provide an opportunity for training in wildland firefighting techniques.

The locations include:

• Chamber’s Grove Park
• Piedmont Park
• The roadside near Arlington soccer fields
• The Linear Pollinator Garden along the Lakewalk in Canal Park
• The Linear Pollinator Garden near Pier B.

A controlled or prescribed burn or fire is a land management strategy, with staff monitoring to help support healthy ecosystems. The burns will only be conducted if weather conditions are right for safety and officials say each site will take approximately one to two hours.

The burns will help to reduce undesirable and invasive plants in these areas including purple loosestrife and buckthorn. Residents can help by planting native flowers and grasses on their own property, such as milkweed or native wildflower seed mixes.