The Town of Stonewall is conducting a controlled burn at the Ruby Roe Tall Grass Prairie during the week of May 11, 2026. The operation, managed by the town’s operations team, is part of an ongoing environmental effort to maintain the health of this local grassland ecosystem.
The Ruby Roe Tall Grass Prairie is located on 3rd Avenue S just west of the Stonewall Hospital. It is named in honour of Ruby Roe, a retired community builder who helped start REACT (Rockwood Environmental Action Community Taskforce) in 1991 to help preserve the prairie.
According to research from NatureNorth, controlled burns provide significant benefits to prairie environments. The process clears away dead plant material, known as thatch, which helps recycle nutrients back into the soil. The fire also helps stop woody plants from invading the area and stimulates the growth of native grasses. Spring is considered the best time for these burns as it happens before new growth begins, allowing the ground to warm up faster.
Nearby residents should be aware that the burn may result in smoke in the area and potential brief access restrictions at the site. The practice is a well-established management tool in the region, with the City of Winnipeg having used controlled burns to manage similar landscapes since 1986.
