Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The City of Winnipeg is starting controlled burns in natural areas this week. The city said burns will be happening until mid-November depending on the weather and wind conditions. “Fire plays an important role in the preservation and restoration of prairies. Lack of fire allows weeds to invade these endangered plant communities,” the city said in a news release. The city did not specify where burns will be taking place. According to the city’s website, wildfires return nutrients back to the soil and help new growth. Controlled burns do the same thing while also “reducing encroachment by woody species and help to control invasive non-native species.” Controlled burns have been happening in Winnipeg since 1986.
