By MATT PIKE
The Missouri Western State University Biology Department will potentially conduct a controlled burn of the Hun Rushin Teaching and Research Prairie tomorrow, weather pending.
Based on the short-range weather forecast, the first window of opportunity is tomorrow, May 2nd. Organizers expect to start around 9 a.m. Burning may continue into the afternoon, depending on conditions and progress. If MoWest is unable to conduct the burn tomorrow, the next possible date is Friday, May 8th.
Prescribed burns help maintain the health of prairie land to ensure it remains useful for research and applied learning. It will also provide wildlife conservation management students real-world experience in skills they will use professionally.
To avoid any possible discomfort from the smoke, it is advised that residents in the area close their windows during the burn. People in the immediate vicinity who are particularly sensitive to smoke are advised to remain indoors as well during the burn. As the prescribed burn takes place, traffic will be restricted on the roads adjacent to the prairie at 50th Street and Messanie Street. The Scanlon and Vartabedian lots will still be accessible on campus.
MoWest asks to respect barricades and allow teams to burn the prairie safely.
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