But there was no reason to panic – this was a controlled burn planned in advance.
“Performed by our contractor, Red Rock Fire, that is for management of a large area of prairie here,” said Quinn Palar, the Anoka County Natural Resources Manager. “This was a 48-acre parcel.”
According to Palar the burn was a success.
In it’s wake, parts of the park were left with jet black, scorched earth.
“Window closing”
With winter on the horizon it was critical for this staged fire to take place before the snow flies.
“The windows kind of closing on the fall burn season,” Palar said. “We had kind of a late frost, which didn’t put the plants into dormancy where they can burn until later. It’s kind of shortened the window. Were getting up on more freezing temps and potential snow cover. That does not bode well for starting and maintaining fires.”
Just a few yards from Bunker’s activity center, the fire’s footprint is clearly visible.
Controlled fires can manage and restore native prairie ecosystems, get rid of old vegetation and release nutrients into the soil.
“We’re working on several areas in all the parks that we manage for prairies,” Palar said.
Each year some 200 acres of land are part of controlled burns in Anoka County – which is equivalent to approximately 151 football fields in length.
