Spring 2026 Burn Update

Photo courtesy of Jason Hamata

One of the things that makes Green Meadows West so special is its natural areas. The use of controlled, prescriptive burns is an important tool that we continue to use to manage and improve our prairies, swales and woodlands.

Our next burn is planned for some time in the next couple of weeks, and we will post exact date here on the website once we know more. Please review the map below to see areas that we are planning to burn this spring.

Spring burn areas in red circles

This will be the first year that we are using prescriptive burns in some of our swales, the wet drainage areas that are critical for proper storm water management in our neighborhood.

This burn has been recommended by our consultants as a more effective tool for managing woody overgrowth of mostly non-native species in our swales. It is important to maintain proper water flow, especially during high-rain events. This overgrowth of woody material can potentially impede proper water flow. In addition, non-native species tend to have shallower root systems, which limits ground water absorption.

In anticipation of this upcoming burn, the HOA Board has prepared some FAQs:

Why do we use prescriptive burns as a management tool in our natural areas?

Managing the natural beauty of Iowa’s native ecosystems takes work. Naturally, prairies are converted to woodlands through the process of succession, but for thousands of years, Iowa’s prairies have been maintained as highly diverse grasslands by fire, both natural and human-managed. Fire favors Iowa’s native grasses and perennial flowers, and without it they would be replaced by low diversity monocultures of non-native and invasive species. A combination of burning in different times of year, mowing, and selective hand-removal of invasive species helps maintain a beautiful and diverse area.

Who do we use to manage the burns?

The safety of our residents and property, as well as the safety of the burn crews, is the first priority of the HOA board and was our first consideration in a choice of contractors. Unlike previous years when burn crews came from the Minneapolis area, we will be using a local burn contractor. They are a fully insured and highly professional company called “Prairies and Wetlands.” The “burn boss” for this company has over 40 years of experience doing prescriptive burns without incident, is one of a small handful of people in Iowa with an S-390 rating from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Additionally, this person has well over 80 hours of classroom and in-the-field training for managing fire. 

Other members of the crew have multiple years of experience, either working with P&W or working for an agency that does controlled burns, many of whom are Certified Prescribed Burn Managers and have other NWCG prescribed burn credentials. One of the crew members has 25 years of experience with fire, teaches prescribed fire classes, and works for Polk County Conservation where she was the burn boss on over 60 controlled burns last year.

These strong credentials and experience prove that they know how to manage these situations.

By changing contractors, not only are we supporting a highly qualified local business, but we are able to fine-tune our burn management and decrease costs. This team (local-based) has more flexibility in being able to decide whether conditions are appropriate for a burn, are more familiar with the local terrain, and can work with our prairie manager to burn smaller sections at strategic times to maximize the ecological benefits.

Ultimately, the HOA board believes that these management decisions maximize safety and impact while keeping costs down.

What can I do as a resident of GMW to help?

First, if you live next to one of our prairies or swales, be aware of any tiling or drainage pipes that go from your property into these burn-managed areas. If you do, please let us know so that we can properly identify and protect these from the burn.

Second, if you have trees or shrubs that overhang into HOA property that is subject to burn management, please keep them properly trimmed back from these areas.

Finally, please encourage your neighbors to be mindful about not allowing yard waste, trash, and especially pet waste to be deposited in our natural areas - these can present unexpected safety hazards and challenges to the implementation of an effective burn.

Who can I reach out to if I have questions?

Please contact Knapp Properties (see main webpage for contact info) and they will relay

any questions to the appropriate board members who manage our natural areas and get back to you as quickly as possible.