If You See Smoke Here Friday, DON'T Call the Urbandale Fire Department

The Urbandale Fire Department granted a permit to Mary Sloan for a controlled prairie burn Friday, March 23 at a large piece of land she owns at 3512 156th St., from 4 to 7:30 p.m., said Fire Marshall Jon Rech.

"A prescribed burn such as this will help to invigorate the prairie area, increase seed production, and reduce possible plant diseases," said Rech.

Sloan has hired someone to complete the burn on the land south of Douglas Parkway and west of 156th, he said, although Urbandale firefighters will make sure all safety procedures are followed. The burn requires permits from the city and from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

If it is raining or too windy on Friday, the burn will be rescheduled  for Sunday, between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.