Controlled Burn to be Conducted at M State Fergus Falls Campus May 9

Fergus Falls, Minn. – M State will be conducting a low-intensity controlled burn at its Fergus Falls
campus on or after Friday, May 9, weather permitting.
A 45-acre stretch of native grasslands on the north end of the campus will be affected, along its
northern border with North Tower Road. Trees in the area will not be impacted. The burn will last
about four hours and is not expected to affect normal campus or community operations.
The purpose of the burn is to set back unwanted plant species and stimulate native plant growth. It is
being conducted under a carefully planned prescription, with the assistance of Red Rock Fire and
under the guidance of Minnesota Native Landscapes, an ecological restoration company. The Fergus
Falls fire and police departments are aware of the burn.
M State staff and students, campus visitors and nearby residents are advised to keep a safe distance
from the fire to ensure their safety. Smoke will be visible, and those in the immediate area may want
to take air quality precautions, such as closing their windows.
M State will provide timely updates on the burn through its social media channels and website,
minnesota.edu. Refer to those for more information, or contact Dereck Houge, the campus’s building
maintenance supervisor, at dereck.houge@minnesota.edu or 218.736.1560.