Restorative Burn at Leo Rudolph Nature Reserve

Part of Annual Owatonna Fire Training

OWATONNA, Minn., Oct. 22, 2025 – The Parks & Recreation Department and the Fire Department are collaborating to conduct a controlled burn at Leo Rudolph Nature Reserve. A burn in this park is done annually, alternating between the north and south sections.

On Monday, October 27, the Fire Department will conduct a live-burn training session at Leo Rudolph Nature Reserve, weather permitting. Starting at 6 p.m., the Fire Department will burn the northern half of the nature reserve. “Training opportunities like this are important for firefighters to continue to develop skills and familiarity with the different strategies associated with wildland firefighting,” said Ed Hoffman, Fire Chief. Firefighters will remain in the area until the fire is completely extinguished.

The benefits of prescribed fires include:

Combats trees and shrubs that shade out prairie and other shade-intolerant plants
Removes old vegetation to make room for new growth
Shifts soil nutrients to a condition more favorable to prairie species
Helps reduce the spread of invasive species
Reduces the likelihood of having a dangerous wildfire by burning dead and downed trees
Burning in patches creates a variety of habitats for an assortment of plants and animals

Contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 507.444.4321 or Fire Department at 507.444.2454 for more information.

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