Residents and motorists on busy highways in and around Arden Hills should expect to see smoke rising above the horizon for three days this week, as military fire personnel conduct controlled burns.
The Minnesota National Guard said that members of the Camp Ripley Fire Department will perform the burns at the Arden Hills Army Training Site throughout the day and night from Tuesday through Thursday.
People near the site, located along Hamline Avenue north of Hwy. 96, "can expect to see and smell smoke," the Guard said in a statement.
The Guard has given assurances that the operations are "within the safety requirements" thanks to the significant amount of snow cover.
"Vegetation that has been collected throughout the year will be [burned] to reduce uncontrolled wildfires this upcoming spring and summer," said Tim Notch, the training area's coordinator.
PAUL WALSH
