The City of Mississauga is planning a controlled burn at Jack Darling Memorial Park and Lorne Park Prairie. The exact date is weather dependent and will be confirmed 24 to 48 hours prior to the burn.

The City has contracted trained professionals from Wildfire Specialists Inc. to conduct the burn and has developed a detailed burn plan to ensure safety of staff, contractors and residents in neighbouring properties. Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services along with other City staff will be on site throughout the burn.

For nearby residents or visitors, controlled burns are nothing to worry about – in fact, they are safe and essential. The process helps maintain the parks’ tallgrass prairies, an ecosystem that is home to rare grasses and wildflowers. Controlled burns are needed every three to four years to help regenerate tallgrass prairies and remove invasive plants. Prairie grasses are dormant at this time of the year, so there is no threat to prairie plants and wildlife.

For safety reasons, the parks (including the leash-free area) will be closed to the public before and during the scheduled burn. They will reopen once clean-up is complete. Closure signage will be posted 24 hours in advance and neighbourhood residents will be notified.

The burn should be between 10:30-5:30 p.m. Smoke may appear between 11-2:30 p.m.