Friday's prescribed burn ban at Prairie Home Cemetery postponed

Published on: 4/4/2013

The Prairie Home Cemetery postponed a prescribed burn of about 12 acres of the cemetery’s prairie habitat for Friday.

Midwest Prairies LLC, of Milton, was scheduled to have a professional crew of workers at the cemetery, 605 S. Prairie Ave., to conduct the burn.

But Brenner said due to wind conditions it has been delayed.

Brenner said Prairie Home Cemetery installed a prairie habitat several years ago with a portion being used for natural burials and another adjoining portion is a reserved area. The natural habitat has environmental advantages such as not requiring weekly mowing and regular herbicide applications, which Brenner said can be costly. 

But prescribed burns are one aspect of a prairie’s rejuvenation, which takes place every three to five years.

Brenner said he wanted to inform the public so they wouldn’t be alarmed if they see smoke coming from the cemetery grounds.