Appendix 9B: Sample Adjacent Landowner Notification

P R A I R I E  C O U N T Y  E N G I N E E R
1 2 3 4  H I G H W A Y  1
P R A I R I E  C I T Y ,  I O W A  5 4 3 2 1
5 5 5 - 1 2 3 - 4 5 6 7

MEMO

TO: Joan Q. Public
FROM: Mike Jones, Prairie County Roadside Manager
DATE: MARCH 10, 2025
RE: Controlled burning in the roadside

Joan Q. Public
4321 Apple Avenue
Prairie City, IA 54321

 A prescribed burn for the roadside in the vicinity of your residence is scheduled to be conducted this spring by Prairie County Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management. The burn will be conducted by adequately trained personnel and only under the safest conditions. The purpose of this memo is to notify you that:

1. A prescribed burn will occur in the roadside on Apple Avenue between 120th Avenue and 130th Avenue.
2. Smoke will be produced in and around the vicinity of the burn for a short time.
3. This action may require minor traffic control around your residence.

Why Prescribed Burning?

In order to encourage the establishment of native plants in our county roadsides, Prairie County Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management uses various management techniques with sound ecological principles. Prescribed burning (not to be confused with wildfire) is any fire ignited by management actions to meet specific objectives. Goals of prescribed burns in terms of roadside management include stimulating the growth of desirable species such as native grasses and flowers, impeding the growth of undesirable species such as weeds and woody vegetation, and giving desirable species a competitive advantage over undesirable species. In some instances, a prescribed burn may replace the need to use herbicides in the roadside. 

For any questions, comments, or concerns about this notice, please contact:

Mike Jones, Roadside Manager/Weed Commissioner
Prairie County Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management
Prairie County Secondary Roads Department
1234 Hwy 1
Prairie City, IA 54321 
555-123-4567
irvm@prairiecounty.iowa.gov