Meewasin will be conducting prescribed fire activities through April and May at the Northeast Swale.
The Meewasin Valley Authority says the process takes months, and in some cases years, to plan, prepare and train. Renny Grilz, Meewasin’s Resource Management Officer says, “The prescribed fire season each spring and fall tends to be quite short, so we need to take action when we can.”
Between the months of April and May, Meewasin is planning to conduct prescribed fire activities at3 locations:
the Northeast Swale in the Ecological Zone north of Fedoruk Road and south of McOrmond Drive along Range Road 3050 (Lowe Road).
Northeast Swale at the Recreational Zone between Fedoruk Road, Agra Road and Central Avenue.
Northeast Swale along the Greenway between the Northeast Swale and Aspen Ridge Neighbourhood.
Smoky conditions can be expected in the northeast area of Saskatoon.

The goal of the prescribed fire is to:
a. Reduce the cover of invasive species to allow for the process of restoration to begin in the Evergreen Storm Water dry pond in 2021.
b. Remove dead grass cover between the fence line of the Northeast Swale and the Greenway sidewalk to allow for clean up of debris and reduce fire risk before the seeding of native grasses along the Greenway in 2021.
c. To enhance wildlife habitat and biodiversity in the Northeast Swale Ecological Zone by introducing the natural process of fire to grassland areas in a safe way.

Prescribed fire takes controlled burning to the next level with planning that is part of Meewasin’s Valley-wide Resource Management Plan. This plan details where, when and how to conduct burning for optimal restoration of plant life and habitat.

For more information, contact Meewasin at 306-665-6887 or meewasin@meewasin.com