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Prescribed burns planned for several areas this spring

Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) is planning prescribed burns during the spring fire season, which typically occurs from April to May, but can vary depending on weather conditions. The SMSC conducts prescribed burns on reservation lands and, upon request, in neighboring jurisdictions each fall and spring as an effective land management tool. Several burns are planned this spring on about 132 acres of reservation land and 99 acres of land owned by neighbors.

“Holding these burns is beneficial for all of our communities, reducing the risk of wildfire and helping to eliminate invasive species,” said SMSC Director of Land and Natural Resources Stan Ellison. “Working with local communities to conduct these prescribed burns is an important way we fulfill our value of being a good neighbor.”

A prescribed burn is an intentionally lit, controlled fire used by land managers to replicate natural fire events. Prescribed burns are usually conducted during vegetation dormancy, and fire practitioners often time the burns to coincide with the early growth of non-native/invasive species. 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.

Planned locations

The SMSC plans to hold prescribed burns in the following locations on the reservation:

• 37 acres on Dakotah Parkway southeast of the SMSC Public Works building
• 23 acres on Arctic Lake Prairie, south of County Road 82 and the Wilds subdivision
• 72 acres on Shutrop Prairie, southeast of the McKenna Road and County Road 16 intersection

The SMSC plans to lead prescribed burns in the following off-reservation locations in Prior Lake and Shakopee:

• 4 acres on Peterson Prairie, northwest of the County Road 83 and 42 intersection 
• 16 acres in Spring Lake Park, south of County Road 82 and northeast of Howard Lake Road
• 5 acres in Lakefront Park, northwest of Highway 13 within Lakefront Park
• 68 acres on Tollefson Prairie, east of County Road 21 and west of Pike Lake Road
• 6 acres on Jeurissen Prairie, west of Dakotah Parkway and the SMSC Pow Wow grounds

Staff trained in wild land firefighting from the SMSC Land and Natural Resources Department, Mdewakanton Public Safety, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs conduct the prescribed burns. They also partner with representatives from other governments and agencies in the off-reservation burns.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. With a focus on being a good neighbor, good steward of the earth, and good employer, the SMSC is committed to charitable donations, community partnerships, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. Together the SMSC and the SMSC Gaming Enterprise (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino) are the largest employer in Scott County. Out of a Dakota tradition to help others, the SMSC has donated more than $325 million to organizations and causes and has contributed millions more to regional governments and infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer systems, and emergency services. The SMSC is the largest philanthropic benefactor for Indian Country nationally and one of the largest charitable givers in Minnesota.