DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has released information about plans for prescribed burns this spring in Boone, Jasper, Marion, Polk, Story, and Warren counties — though it’s doubtful any will begin Monday with a Red Flag Warning in effect until 8:00 p.m.

The areas the DNR will conduct prescribed burns at include:

• McCoy and Harrier Marsh — Boone County
• Banner Flats, Hooper, and South River — Warren County
• Red Rock — Marion County
• Rock Creek and Colfax — Jasper County
• Colo and Hendrickson — Story County
• Big Creek and Chichaqua — Polk County

The prescribed burns are scheduled on a four to five year rotation with the goal of improving wildlife habitat, controlling invasive plants, and restoring and maintaining populations of native plants. They also help reduce the potential for wildfires.

The DNR says the burns will happen between mid-March and mid-May and typically begin mid to late morning and be finished by late afternoon or early evening. Weather conditions will be factored into when the burn takes place.

If the prescribed burns aren’t able to be done this spring, they’ll be considered for burning in the fall.