Prescribed fires planned along Highway 371, Highway 23, Highway 65, Lake Wobegon Trail

Fires helped to improve native vegetation, weed control

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Local residents, motorists and others near the Lake Wobegon Trail and several state highways in Stearns, Morrison, Crow Wing and Isanti counties may see smoke from roadside prescribed fires beginning April 12 through June 15, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The burns are planned in the following three locations:

· Lake Wobegon Trail between Osakis and Sauk Centre
· Highway 371 between Little Falls and Baxter
· Highway 23 near Richmond and Cold Spring
· Highway 65 between East Bethel and Grady

Traffic should not be affected and all roadways and trails will remain open.

The prescribed fires are controlled by trained crews and conducted within MnDOT rights of way during optimal weather conditions to ensure safety and effectiveness. The fires are used to improve native vegetation and weed control.

MnDOT urges motorists to always drive with caution and slow down in work zones.

For more information on MnDOT’s prescribed fire vegetation management program, visitwww.mndot.gov/roadsides/vegetation/fire.html.

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.