The county will conduct a controlled burn this afternoon at Rural Hill Nature Preserve.

Feb. 6. Mecklenburg County Natural Resources staff are conducting a controlled burn today around noon at Rural Hill Nature Preserve in Huntersville.

Smoke will affect air quality downwind for two to three hours.

Land managers use controlled burns, also known as prescribed fire, to mimic the natural disturbance caused by the natural fires of years ago. These fires are carefully planned and conducted under specific weather conditions to achieve specific goals. In this way fire can safely be used as a management tool.

For more information on prescribed burns, visit meck.co/RXfire.