Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) is planning prescribed burns this fall and winter on 67.2 acres of reservation land and an additional nine acres in Shakopee. The SMSC conducts prescribed burns on reservation lands and, upon request, in neighboring jurisdictions each spring and fall as an effective land management tool.

Planned locations include:

  • 28 acres of the Shutrop prairie and savanna north of Eagle Creek Boulevard (north of the McKenna Road NW and County Road 16 intersection)
  • 25 acres on the Dakota Slough wetland located northeast of the intersection of County Road 14 and County Road 79
  • 6 acres on the Peterson prairie
  • 5 acres of oak savanna and prairies east of the Mystic Lake Road and County Road 82 intersection
  • 1.5 acres on the medians north of East Village on Tintaocanku Boulevard
  • 1 acre on King Prairie, west of the County Road 42 intersection with Dakotah Parkway
  • 0.5 acres on the natural medians outside of Dakotah! Sport and Fitness
  • 0.2 acres on the Dakotah Parkway median

A prescribed burn is an intentionally lit, controlled fire used by land managers to replicate natural fire events. 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.

The SMSC wildland fire program conducts prescribed burns with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other state and federal agencies.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Following a Dakota tradition of generosity, the SMSC is one of the top philanthropists in Minnesota and is the largest contributor to Native American tribes and causes across the country. It is 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.