Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) is planning two prescribed burns this fall fire season, which typically occurs from October through the first snow, depending on weather conditions. The planned burns total about 68 reservation acres and an additional 4 acres in Shakopee.

The specific locations are:

  • 68 acres at Tollefson Prairie – East of CSAH 21 and West of Pike Lake Road (SMSC land)
  • 4 acres at Shakopee Memorial Park Oak Savanna – North of Highway 101 and Shenandoah Road (City of Shakopee)

Other prescribed burn units may be added in response to favorable burning conditions and/or additional requests. All prescribed burns depend entirely upon weather conditions such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction.

About prescribed burns

A prescribed burn is an intentionally lit, controlled fire used by land managers to replicate natural fire events. Prescribed burns are usually conducted as a treatment during vegetation dormancy, and timed to coincide with early- and late-season growth of non-native/invasive species. These burns help accomplish several ecological objectives, including adding nutrients to the soil, releasing native seed banks, rejuvenating native prairie grasses, removing dead biomass, helping kill invasive species, and reducing the risk of wildfires.

The SMSC conducts prescribed burns on reservation lands and in neighboring governments’ jurisdictions each spring and fall as an effective land management tool and to participate in inter-government, inter-agency cooperation. Staff trained in wildland firefighting from the SMSC Land and Natural Resources Department, Mdewakanton Public Safety, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs conduct the prescribed 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. Making its top priority to be a good neighbor, the SMSC is one of the top 10 philanthropists in Minnesota and donates more to charity than any other Indian tribe in America. It also focuses on being a strong community partner and a leader in protecting and restoring natural resources. The SMSC’s government, Gaming Enterprise, and various other enterprises are collectively the largest employer in Scott County.