Courtesy

The first in a series of prescribed burns is schedule to take place this week at the West Side Prairie near Persimmon Street in west Fayetteville.

The goal is to restore and enhance the native plant community on the 40-acre conservation easement.

Officials said baseline monitoring identified 208 native plant species at the site in 2019, seven of which are species of special concern that are tracked by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.

Prior to the completion of the burn, crews will assure that all sparks and embers have been fully extinguished, according to a city news release. Because it’s a prairie fire there will not be long-term smoldering, however, Fayetteville and Farmington fire crews will be standby status to assist, if needed.

The public is welcome to attend the prescribed burn, but must stay behind an established containment line.

Another burn will take place at the Woolsey Wet Prairie sometime before March 31. More information about that burn will be released when a favorable date is decided upon.

For more information contact Marson Nance of the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust at 479-966-4666.