If you are travelling along Blair Road in Cambridge and see smoke this week, don’t panic, as it is under control.
The rare Charitable Research Reserve says a prescribed burn will be taking place and residents could see smoke, fire or fire trucks along the road through Friday.
The local environmental non-profit says the prescribed burn is an environmental land restoration initiative in partnership with the University of Guelph.
The agency says Lands & Forests Consulting has been contracted to conduct the prescribed burn to 18.5 hectares of tallgrass prairie, adjacent to the Grand River.
It is part of a long-term research project that aims to maintain and enhance the prairie ecosystem on the reserve.
“Tallgrass prairie species have deep root systems that make them tolerant to fire. A disturbance such as fire is necessary to maintain the conditions that allow the grasses and wildflowers to thrive,” the non-profit says.