News Release:

DNR to do controlled burn of Hoosier Prairie today [November 19, 2012]

The Department of Natural Resources will execute a controlled burn of Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve today, one of its routine fall procedures for Hoosier Prairie.

South of Main Street in Schererville, traffic restrictions will likely affect Kennedy Avenue, which may be closed or be under lane restrictions for short periods of time during the procedure. Smoke from the procedure may limit vision at times on Kennedy Avenue and on Main Street.

Hoosier Prairie is a large tract maintained by the DNR Division of Nature Preserves. It contains prairie, oak savanna and marsh habitats on both sides of Main Street in Griffith, Schererville and Highland.

The DNR conducts a 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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