Army Corps Executes Controlled Burn Near Riverlands Way

WEST ALTON, MO. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has conducted a controlled burn on approximately 80 acres near the end of Riverlands Way, producing smoke visible for miles.

The prescribed fire aimed to reduce hazardous fuel loads and improve ecosystem health in the area. Photos by 618 Drone Service show the prescribed burn.

Controlled burns, also known as prescribed fires, are a management tool used by the Corps of Engineers to prevent severe wildfires and restore natural processes in the environment. These fires help stimulate native plant growth, enhance wildlife habitat, control invasive species, and return nutrients to the soil.

The Corps uses controlled burns primarily to reduce hazardous fuel loads, prevent devastating wildfires, and improve ecosystem health, the Corps said.

“These planned fires manage landscapes around our projects, making areas healthier and safer," added the Corps.

The recent burn near Riverlands Way is part of ongoing efforts by the Corps to maintain safer and more resilient landscapes through careful and deliberate fire management.

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