Night Prairie Burn set for April 10

Do you love watching the flames of a fire crackle in the wind? Are you interested in Iowa?s natural history? Have you considered maintaining a prairie on your own property and need management ideas? Or do you just need something different to do on a Friday night with the family? If you answered yes to any of these, then come to Marr Park?s annual Night Prairie Burn to watch the flames leap.

On Friday, April 10, the burn will be set by the staff of the Washington County Conservation Board. Area fire departments will be on hand for safety and fire control. The fire will start at 8 p.m. though a program will begin the evening at 7:30 p.m.

Those interested in the educational program should meet near the maintenance shop, just past the entrance to the park. We?ll discuss the role of the prairie in Iowa history, the importance of fire on the native landscape, and how prairie fires impacted those who lived here. We?ll show and discuss the tools used for burns and discuss the methods of a control burn.

At 8 p.m., the north prairie, next to the shop, will be lit. Best viewing location will be determined by the wind that evening.

Note, this fire could burn very quickly. Those coming for just the fire should arrive before 8: p.m.; the fire could be burned out within 15 minutes. In case of wet or windy weather, the burn will be canceled.

Marr Park is located seven miles east of Washington and one mile west of Ainsworth on Highway 92.

For more information, contact the Center at 319-657-2400 or e-mailwccb@iowatelecom.net.