The Department of Natural Resources plans to complete this fall's routine controlled burn of Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve anytime between now and when snow accumulates.

The DNR's Division of Nature Preserves will set a date for controlled burning when weather conditions are suitable and will notify area news media of the activity the morning of the event.

Smoke from the controlled burning can create a visual hazard for motorists. As a result, local officials will close Main Street, between Wiggs Street in Griffith and Kennedy Avenue, during the burn, as done in previous years. 

Because a different portion of the area will be burned this year, traffic restrictions also will likely affect Kennedy Avenue, which may be closed or be under lane restrictions for short periods of time during the procedure.

Hoosier Prairie is a large tract maintained by the nature preserves division. It contains prairie, oak savanna and marsh habitats on both sides of Main Street in Griffith, Schereville and Highland.

The DNR conducts the controlled burn each spring and fall in order to preserve the area's rare prairie/savanna habitat, which requires sunny, open conditions. Without the fires, trees and plants common to other areas eventually would crowd out and eliminate rare prairie and savanna plants.

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