The City of Davenport has recognized the values associated with using native plant materials in its landscapes for many years. Recognizing that value, the City has incorporated native plants into public landscapes throughout the City, including rain gardens, bioretention cells and prairies.
What the public may not know, is native plants require fire, or periodic burning, to thrive and to control the spread of invasive and noxious plant species. Because fire is vital to the health and productivity of these important ecological systems, the City conducts controlled burns in the spring and fall to keep these natural assets working.
The series of controlled burns to take place this fall will occur between October 15th and December 31st at the following locations: Littig Detention Basin (behind the Littig House at 6035 Northwest Blvd), creek buffers along Duck Creek Recreational Trail east of Harrison St and at Valley Vista and George Washington St, the prairies at Sunderbruch Park, and at a bioswale located off of 55th St and Utica Ridge Rd.
Because controlled burns rely heavily on different aspects of the weather such as: wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, plant moisture content, etc. we cannot provide the exact date and time the burns will take place at each location; however, at a minimum, adjacent/affected property owners will be notified and signage placed when burns are being conducted.
Burn permits and prescribed burn plans are in place for the burns to be conducted and the Fire Department will be on site to assist with burn control as needed.
When the burns are conducted, weather conditions are monitored for wind conditions that will conduct smoke away from occupied buildings. However, closeness of some buildings to the burn areas may mean that smoke will be present and may enter buildings despite best efforts to prevent it. It is recommended that persons with smoke allergies or asthma keep their windows closed when a burn is being conducted and for several hours afterwards. These persons may also wish to leave their homes if they are able during the burn to avoid smoke exposure.
Visit www.davenportiowa.com/naturalresources and click on the Controlled Burns tab for more information.