Why Did Minneapolis Smell Like A Fire Thursday?

Thursday afternoon, you may have noticed that parts of Southwest Minneapolis smell like fire. The smell of smoke has wafted all the way from the city of Corcoran, in northern Hennepin County.

Corcoran city workers worked on a controlled burn Thursday, Nov. 15 to help with "drainage" for area farmers and roadways, according to city workers on the scene.

The controlled burned was aimed at some of the dead brush and weeds lining the bushes in the fields near Shutte Road and Brandywine Road in Corcoran, behind Corcoran City Hall and off of a gravel road off located near County Road 101 and Rush Creek Elementary. The Maple Grove Police Department, on its Facebook page, said the controlled burn was 20 acres in Corcoran. 

Dozens of interested drivers ventured onto the gravel roadway near the controlled burn to catch a glimpse of the fire. Those driving near the fire received some ash on their vehicles throughout the morning.

In addition to Corcoran city employees, it appeared the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was onsite to assist as well.

Updated 8:46 a.m. 11/16/12: The National Weather Service reports that their station in Chanhassen tracked the smoke plum yesterday. It was large enough to register on their doppler radar system. The picture is posted above.

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