Prescribed burns have been scheduled for several locations around the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and nearby areas this spring.

These locations include:
• Wetland and prairie southwest of the junction of Stemmer Ridge Road and Skuya Drive in the Inyan Ceyaka Otunwe neighborhood
• Oak Savanna southeast of the junction of County Road 14 and Townline Avenue
• Prairie to the northwest of the junction of Dakotah Parkway and Wacipi Drive
• Prairie northeast of the junction of Mystic Lake Drive and Tintaocanku Drive
• Oak Savanna located in Shakopee Memorial Park
• Prairie located to the southeast of the junction of County Road 82 and Mniowe Trail
• Prairie located west of Hoċokata Ṫi and southwest of the junction of Tiwahe Circle and Wakpa Lane
• Oak Savanna located to the south of Dean’s Lake, north of the junction of County Road 16 and Eagle Creek Boulevard
• Median prairies located on Dakotah Parkway
• Prairie located to the southwest of the junction of Eagle Creek Boulevard and Mckenna Road
• Shoreline along Mystic Lake and County Road 83

A prescribed burn is an intentionally lit, controlled fire used by land managers to replicate natural fire events. Before Europeans colonized this area, fires were sometimes started by lightning but many more times by Dakota and other Indigenous people. They burned areas for many reasons, but they were mostly used to clear land for agriculture; to improve grazing and forage for game species like bison; to reduce brush in woodlands, which helped with easier travel; and to boost plant and seed production.

Fire helps native plants in prairies, oak savannas, and some wetlands stay healthy and vigorous. These plants provide excellent habitat for wildlife. Fire is also an excellent tool to reduce weeds and other invasive woody species that outcompete native plants for resources.

All prescribed burns are designed to meet ecological objectives and are entirely dependent upon weather conditions, such as relative humidity, temperature, and wind speed and direction. Exact dates of the burns will be announced on the SMSC’s social channels and beacon.

The SMSC wildland fire program coordinates with neighboring entities, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other state and federal agencies to lead and assist with prescribed burns within the region. During prescribed burns, trained burn crew members monitor weather conditions to protect air quality and road visibility to minimize potential impacts to neighboring communities.