Controlled Burn Closes Part of Rockville County Park to Restore Prairie Habitat

Saint Cloud, MN, USA / KNSI

Oct 24, 2025 | 12:34 PM

Stearns County Sheriff's Office

Part of Rockville County Park is closed on Friday for a prescribed burn.

The Stearns County Parks Department says the northwestern portion of the park is off-limits until the work is complete. Officials use controlled fires every 1 to 5 years to maintain native prairie habitats. The burns provide several benefits including reducing invasive plants, speed up decomposition, and return nutrients to the soil. The fire also warms the soil, helping native seeds germinate.

After the burn, native flowers and grasses quickly fill in the charred areas. These plants provide nectar for pollinators, habitat for wildlife, and deep root systems that prevent erosion.

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