If you spot smoke rising from Winnipeg’s fields this spring, don’t panic; it’s likely the city carrying out controlled burns.
Starting this week and up until mid-June, the city will be conducting controlled burns in natural areas, weather permitting.
The city says fire plays an important role in the preservation and restoration of the prairies. Without controlled burns, weeds can invade endangered plant communities within the city.
Controlled burns have been conducted in Winnipeg's tall grass prairies since 1986.
For the past few years, the city has also used sheep to help with weed control.
“Sheep are selective in what they eat, and grazing is an effective way to help control weeds in our native tall grass prairie preserve,” said Rodney Penner, City Naturalist.
The sheep are typically set up at the Living Prairie Museum in a temporary, movable and fenced-in area at the museum for three weeks in the summer.